Review ESPELHO DA ALMA CD (Mirror of the Soul)

You may already know that anyone can make a CD nowadays but the responsibility is in correlation to the work. In other words, it is not enough to only join a handful of established musicians. It is necessary to have talent, to have the qualities of competency and sensitivity. When we stop to think, that is exactly what differentiates good work from inferior work.            With Espelho da Alma (Mirror of the Soul), produced by the Visões do Infinito label, Ricardo Primata is the perfect example of how to deliver a project. He records twelve instrumental tracks of progressive/rock metal sprinkled with elements of Brazilian music -- seasoned sufficiently with the rhythm of Brazil´s Northeastern states, among other ingredients. In about twenty years Ricardo has developed a knack from his dedication to music through studying, giving lessons, playing with bands, or doing workshops and workshows in Brazil.            This is the first complete CD of a solo Bahian guitarist and marks an important maturity in his creative process. "It is a watershed of my career," says Ricardo Primata, who is beyond just marking presence in some collections. He has launched two CDs in his first project, one band being "Ritmia".            As a matter of fact, a key part of his recent past has helped to compose the repertoire of Espelho da Alma since the three final tracks have been taken from his praised "Visões" EP. This is a full plate for those who like good music and devastating performances. Yes, there are harmonies, melodies, solos, and arrangements to take your breath away. What is more, in spite of it being the work of a guitarist, it is not boring nor does it have fried pyrotechnics. What it clearly does have is technique, but this technique is used with wisdom, precision, and in the service of the composition.            If you want to know the origins of this CD, Ricardo Primata, who co-produced it along with Jera Cravo, says, "Music is born of impulses to express my thoughts and ideas, mainly using the research that I have made of Brazilian rhythms, alternative tunings on the guitar, quality intonation experimentation, symmetries and sounds that please me".            To make possible such a complicated task, the competencies of such musicians were called upon: Gilmario Celso (bass), Marcel Freire (drums), Mariana Marin (percussions), and Joberson Macedo (keyboard). Apart from this team, others whose presence was shown in a special way: Jelber Oliveira (accordion), Jamberé (tuba), Juninho Pereira (percussions), Bruno Costa (bass), and two great names, the improviser Bule Bule and the Bahian guitarist Armandinho Macedo. Finally, there is Daniel Dattoli, who translated all the music into sublime graphic art for the cover of the CD.            If the public and the specialized music media have already acknowledged the quality work of Ricardo Primata for some time, with Espelho da Alma the impression will be even better. The guitarist manages to surpass himself and presents us with a collection of miscellaneous works with much feeling. His music has evolved. It has reached a level above most guitarists, distinctly rich and transparent in relation to the state of spirit of its creator. "I am anxious to search new possibilities, not only as a guitarist but as a complete musician." Henrique Inglez de Souza