Luiz Alvim is a Brazilian keyboardist and composer with a background in classical piano. He has performed live and recorded with a diverse range of artists. Progressive rock is often defined by intricate compositions, virtuosic performances, and a willingness to push boundaries. The LAB Experience, led by Luiz Alvim, takes this philosophy to a new level by completely omitting guitars, one of the genre's most fundamental instruments. The result is an album that challenges conventions while maintaining the depth and complexity that fans of progressive music crave. The album consists of a mix of original compositions and reinterpretations of previous works, enriched by contributions from various guest musicians. Well, as a huge vintage keyboards aficionado it took very little time to get excited about this instrumental first album by The LAB Experience (only keyboards, bass and drums), what a great sound, and what a skilled musicians. The first 3 tracks A Long Time Ago, m.a.r.i.k. and Parallel Dimensions deliver bombastic mid-tempo beats featuring dazzling synthesizer runs and swirling Hammond organ, backed by a powerful and dynamic rhythm-section, the interplay is awesome, often Japanese Gerard (the era as a trio) comes to my mind. The fourth composition The Mind starts with a fat synthesizer sound, then the music delivers more variety, with several breaks, including Mellotron violins, blended with a fat bass sound and propulsive drums, and a short but swinging bass solo. Next Future Dreaminess, first an ominous spacey climate, like horror soundtrack, then accellaration with Hammond, followed by soaring strings and slow rhythm, spacey synthesizer flights. Halfway a mid-tempo beat and lots of keyboard pyrotechnics, fuelled by a powerful bass. In the second part a break with Mellotron violins and a growling bass and propulsive drums, how exciting. Then the epic composition Astral Zenith. It opens with a majestic Hammond organ and tremolo Leslie sound and concludes with tender piano runs, in between lots of shifting moods (from dreamy to bombastic) featuring Vintage Keyboard Heaven: Mellotron violins eruptions and soaring Mellotron flutes, dazzling pitchbend driven Minimoog synthesizer flights and spectacular Hammond organ soli, topped with amazing work on bass and drums, wow! And finally the short The End, a beautiful piece built around tender Grand piano, tastefully blended with soaring Mellotron violins, dreamy bass work, and a churchy Hammond sound. What a stunning debut album, highly recommended to all keyboard aficionados! **** Erik Neuteboom (edited by Tracy van Os van den Abeelen) Where to buy? |
