Guilherme Da Luz
Para Alem Do Ser
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(Excerpt from track 'Beyond Being (Eternity)')
CDRecordable / 4 tracks / 72.45 mins

Guilherme describes the album as a 'direct consequence of some cosmic trips'. This would probably describe why much of the music is very free flowing and improvised feeling though that is not to say that it is completely without structure. 'Entase (Inner Ecstacy)' begins with metallic tones creating a relaxing but also intriguing atmosphere. The occasional lead line comes to attract your attention but really just acts as a little detail over a relaxing montage of sounds. The images this track and the whole CD for that matter conjure up are of a swirling kaleidoscope of colours. Yes it is relaxing but its also so "out there man".

We enter the second part of the first track on the back of a slow rhythm but quite frankly its still the dazzling atmospheric sounds that grab the attention most. And when I say atmospheric sounds I don't just mean drones, there are tons of scintillating effects, sonic splashes and God knows what else going on. At times I am even reminded of the Cosmic Jokers or Stumo Yamashta's Go. As the track progresses the lead line becomes a constant feature but its played in such a way that quite frankly it becomes more a part of the shimmering background rather than a dominant feature. The second track 'Beyond Being (Eternity)' sounds more spacey than the previous track, even slightly spooky. Its reminded me a little of Klaus Schulze's 'Cyborg'. Its very floating but again a little metallic sounding. Like the previous track it also retains something of a hallucinatory quality to it. As we enter the second part of the track a warbling sequence enters and gives the feeling of restrained power. Its like listening to the throb of some huge reactor.

Next up we get 'From Caos (To Cosmos)'. The sound of tinkling chimes and other percussion can be heard over strange almost gurgling swamp like effects. Other even stranger sounds are introduced, its like something Conrad Schnitler might have come up with- quite the strangest section of the album so far. This is probably the 'Caos' bit in the title. Its all rather intriguing and disquieting however rather than abrasive. The second part of the track normalises things slightly with the introduction of a simple sequence low in the mix. A rhythm starts up and I'm pretty sure that this is live and not 'programmed' drumming such is the organic feel to it. The drums become more prominent in the final bit and we move to realms that I have no obvious reference points for. There is a subtle sequence however which is distinctly Ashra sounding accompanied by a really superb though understated lead line.The final track 'Integration (Going with the flow)' uses soft angelic pads which, along with appropriately ethereal effects, take us to the most tranquil reaches of the cosmos. This is so peaceful, ideal for just letting the mind wander. The next part takes a turn for the darker side but we are still well out there. A slow pulse can just be heard but it is so quiet it is easy to believe that it is your own heartbeat. If this album had been on the Cosmic Couriers label I wouldn't have been a bit surprised. (DL)

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