Detailed Reviews [Caravela Escarlate - 2023 - "III"]

Prolusion. Brazilian band Caravela Escarlate has been a part of the progressive rock scene in their native Brazil for a bit over a decade, with three full length albums to their name at the time of writing. Their third and most recent production is simply named "III", and was released by Norwegian label Karisma Records at the start of 2023.

Analysis. Caravela Escarlate is an easy band to place as far as the subset of the progressive rock universe is concerned. Symphonic progressive rock is the name of the game here, and explored in a manner that looks back towards the golden era of this specific form. The organ is a vital instrument on all of the songs here, often as the dominant presence placed on top of a solid core arrangement, but also as a supporting layer adding depth to the landscapes explored. For more dramatic impulses a wide array of vintage sounding keyboards are employed, with surging, flowing and floating textures and cascades and swirling overlays provided with liberal glee. Those fond of the more atmospheric laden varieties of this form will be happy to read that the good, old Mellotron is used in a few different manners, from the delicate flute sounds to the ghostly strings that instrument is perhaps best known for. We also get some nice and perhaps slightly more solemn piano driven details here and there, and fans of the good, old harpsichord will find the entrancing brittle sounds of that instrument here and there too. It is, perhaps, superfluous to state that this album comes across as something of a wet dream to those who love the sound of vintage keyboards of all kinds and treasure material where the keyboards dominate the soundscapes. The compositions ebb and flow between calmer phases and more vibrant excursions, with more romantic and atmospheric laden parts existing side by side with more energetic and a bit more expressive sections. While this isn't a production that ever gets lost in quirky details or technical minutiae, the keyboard playing holds a high quality throughout. For my sake I find the drummer perhaps even more impressive, with a busy, expressive delivery being the norm and subtle jazz tendencies in the execution a bit of an ongoing feature. The bass has a tendency to stay put in a tight and hard mode of delivery that also adds tension and vibrancy to the overall experience. The calm, relaxed and melodic vocals are an appropriate contrast to the more vibrant and expressive instrument details, and also emphasize the more romantic orientation of the music as a whole. I also note that the mix and production, by plan or by accident, comes with virtues that further emphasize the vintage nature of this production: This aspect of the album experience has the 1970's written all over it, with the strong points and weak points that comes with this as a fixture.

Conclusion. Caravela Escarlate as of 2023 comes across as a band with a solid foundation in a 1970's oriented variety of symphonic progressive rock. The style and execution as well as the instruments all come with a distinct vintage touch, further emphasized by a mix and production with vintage qualities, while the drummer is providing a lively and expressive backbone to it all that adds a vibrant and energetic core to the landscapes explored. If you love symphonic progressive rock in general and have an affection for a vintage take on the form in particular, this is an album that slides nicely into the top section of albums you need to listen to in 2023.

Progmessor: January 2023
The Rating Room