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Don’t ask me how they do it, but I never cease to be amazed
at not only the amount of music Cast create but the quality
as well. In between their day jobs and the mammoth task of
staging BajaProg, the band still finds the time to release
an album every year it seems. And as I say they keep setting
a higher benchmark for themselves, taking their identifiable
sound into more mature areas and even throwing in ample amounts
of musical experimentation. On Originallis Alfonso Vidales
(keyboards) works with Antonio Bringas (drums), Claudio Cordero
(guitars), Pepe Torres (sax, flute, clarinet, woodwinds),
Flavio Miranda (bass), and on vocals are Lupita Acuna (percussions)
and Alejandro Tornero. Cast alumni Franisco Hernandez and
Dino Brassea are called upon to provide vocals on the track
“Medley I” (12:24) which as the name implies is a selection
of tracks from the Cast catalog. The 2 discs include some
15 compositions many of which are on the longer side, although
many of the others segue into one another making it seem like
they’re actually longer than they really are. While there
are a number of vocal tracks it must be said there are plenty
of longer instrumental segments and compositions where the
band gets to display their musical prowess and tight performance
style. Without describing each and every track, let me just
say that the more I listened to the music on these two CDs,
the more convinced I became that this is the best work Cast
has ever done. The melodies are pure, the recurring musical
motifs are powerful, hair-raising in fact, the arrangements
provide depth and perhaps best of all these are all great
songs be they ten-minutes long or three-minutes in length.
Over the years Cast have really developed a trade-mark sound
and style that is in full bloom here. Their music will change
musical time and tempo many times over but they make great
use of recurring themes, allowing their music to grow grander
and more majestic. Then they’ll fly off in a busy, almost
jazzy direction with everyone lending their musical abilities
to make the song just jump off the disc. In addition the mix
of male and female vocals is another element that makes the
music so varied. I was hooked right off the bat as the title
track “Originallis” (4:20) slides right into the instrumental
“Pulsar” (10:01). In fact I’d say that “Pulsar” has become
my favorite individual piece of music. I love the way it has
that recurring march-like section that’s followed with a ‘pregnant
pause’ that keeps getting more and more pronounced each time
you hear it. Readers of my work will know that I am an unabashed
Cast fan! And just when I think I’ve heard their best stuff
they surprise me with yet another moving and dynamic release.
Originallis is just that kind of a record, perhaps their grandest
yet. I have no idea how they can keep up the pace writing
so much music. Symphonic prog fans will love this record.
I know I did and so I highly recommend Originallis.
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