Since the Cuban progressive rock band Anima Mundi entered a Dutch stage for the first time in 2011 (see review), they returned to what they consider to be their second homeland every year. Therefore it wasn't so strange that they visited the Netherlands for the fourth time in a row; this time as a part of their Tales Tour 2014. Only this time around, due to logistical problems, their lead singer Emmanuel Pirko-Farrath wasn't able to travel to Europe together with his fellow band members yet.

Hein van den Broek

It seems that taking a flight from Cuba to Europe is not as simple as flying within Europe. This meant that he couldn't attend the first two concerts of the tour. Well, a concert without a lead singer wasn't an option and that's why they asked Hein van den Broek to replace Emmanuel for said shows. Hein is certainly not an unknown musician in the Dutch progressive rock scene. He has worked with bands like Maryson in the past. Presently he's the front man and lead singer of Genesis Project (Genesis tribute), Supertrap (Supertramp tribute) and the progressive rock band Ice.

The location for the first of the three Dutch shows was the cosy 't Blok in Nieuwerkerk a/d IJssel; as usual a Sunday afternoon show with music and lots of snacks. As far as the music was concerned, Anima Mundi choose to play a lot of instrumentals and tracks with large instrumental intermezzos. During those songs, guitarist Roberto Díaz  and keyboard player Virginia Peraza, predominantly shone all the way. The crowd could enjoy instrumentals such as El Umbral; the only piece from their debut album Septentrión (2002/2012, see review). This song was introduced by Roberto as a tune used by Cuban National Television Broadcast Company to accompany an item about a hurricane that had ravaged the country. A fine track like

Remco Engels

Rhythm Of The Spheres could also be enjoyed. This one was introduced by Roberto as being one of the band's favourite pieces to perform, and in which they could freely improvise.
The composition The Return Part 1 was also included and it finished with a strong instrumental part from Firth Of Fifth (Genesis). Another great instrumental track was Endless Star. Here, a real percussion duel between Remco Engels from the Dutch progressive rock band Mangrove and drummer Manuel Govin could be enjoyed. Anima Mundi choose to perform those particular songs, because Hein had limited time to practice the band's material. However, it has to be said that he did an amazing job to rehearse the complex songs in only a fortnight. After the show, Hein explained to me that the songs sung by Mr. Pirko-Farrath were more difficult to sing than the ones originally done by former singer Carlos Sosa; this because of the low register in which Emmanuel sang. As for the songs with long instrumental parts, was it obvious they had selected Time To Understand (opening track), Spring Knocks On The Door Of Men and The Dream Child Behind The Mask to be put on the setlist; a setlist that was divided into two sets and an encore.

Roberto Diaz and Yaroski Corredera

All this resulted in 160 minutes of outstanding progressive rock music. This included the usual live tricks on stage, such as the outstanding solo by bassplayer Yaroski Corredera during Cosmic Man or the wonderful lead vocals by Roberto when they performed Sanctuary, that I could enjoy  again. They were just like he performed them on their former tour. As an encore they used two well know songs from one of the band's major influences: Pink Floyd, in the form of the tracks Money and Comfortably Numb, both with excellent guitar solos performed by Mr. Díaz.

As was expected he band did not let me down. The two sets and encores were all very strongly done. All musicians played the best they could, and Hein van den Broek was an excellent replacement for Emmanuel Pirko-Farrath. I think he would definitely be a good addition to the band when Emmanuel rejoins for the rest of the tour. The contribution by Remco Engels  throughout the entire show was a good choice as well. With Dutch blood in the veins of this Cuban band you might certainly call this line up a dream team! Who could ask for more?

Henri Strik (edited by Esther Ladiges)