The Circle Project is an ambitious collaboration of artists combining literature, music and visual arts, the brainchild of Ángel G. Lajarín. They return on July 22, 2024 with a new work entitled “Bestiario II’ containing 15 tracks, each of which describes animals that have also been depicted in the excellent booklet. Numerous artists from the Prog scene and beyond take part in the album, interweaving styles and genres, with precise and in-depth vocal parts both sung and narrated. Progressive Rock cues are mixed with the atmospheres of Mediterranean music, with large Symphonic parts and some forays into more intricate and Experimental sounds. Long instrumental textures characterise the style of this project, where in each track we find in-depth descriptions of the animals in the Bestiary at the beginning. An alternation of well-composed and performed instrumental parts that enhance the compositional and performing technique of all the artists involved in this project. Male and female voices alternate in the interpretation of the refined texts, showing how well the intertwining of music and literature is successful. The graphic parts of the album are just as well cared for, with a booklet to be leafed through with pleasure while scrolling through the long tracklist. At the beginning, I described the project as ambitious, and expectations have been met, offering a varied tracklist that explores all the musical facets and influences of the artists involved. This is an absolutely recommended listen for all lovers of the more symphonic sounds of Prog, with rich textures and interweavings between the numerous instruments, lyrics of absolute value and singers offering a wide range of styles that fit perfectly into the context of the project. Interesting references to literature, skilfully brought into the musical context Progressive, an album to be listened to from beginning to end as if turning the pages of a book. The musical contaminations that characterise the style are many and varied. It goes from Symphonic moments, with marked influences of Classical Music, to Medieval traits, ending with electric guitar or synth solos, giving a Prog and modern touch to the sound. An album also imbued with Mediterranean flavours, thanks to the participation of artists from Spain and Italy and beyond. Works like this certainly need to be listened to with care and attention, understood and listened to again to grasp all the sonic nuances and references contained in the lyrics. An excellent album, which has played several times in my player since it arrived in the mail thanks to my friend Rafael Pacha, and I am convinced that it will do so for all lovers of slightly more refined Progressive Rock. Works like this show once again that quality music is also available nowadays, artists and projects of a high standard should be listened to and valued. An excellent album, with a refined concept, that will surely please fans of Progressive sounds of all eras and styles, what can I say, once again these artists have proposed music of an absolute level.
Tracklist
01. Manual de Criptozoología – Continuación (00:26)
02. Capítulo 9 Mantícora (Alfonso Romero) (04:33)
03. Capítulo 10 Diaemus Gravida (Raúl Díaz) (06:18)
04. Capítulo 11 Architeutis Dux -Kraken- (Pablo Canalís) (03:27)
05. Capítulo 12 Pardus Alatus Nero (Antonio Manuel Fernández (Noné)) (04:24)
06. Capítulo 13 Homo Narcissus -Leno Litore, Assinus Facies- (Rafael Pacha) (08:59)
07. Capítulo 14 Meiga (José Carballido) (04:22)
08. Capítulo 15 Rainbow Leprechaun (Paco Asensi) (06:53)
09. Capítulo 16 Grifelino Coloris (German Fafian) (05:18)
10. Capítulo 17 Tardo (José Carballido) (06:18)
11. Capítulo 18 Narvalus Transeo (Paco Asensi) (04:46)
12. Capítulo 19 Papilio Evanescens (Rafael Pacha) (06:04)
13. Capítulo 20 Draculis Scarabus (German Fafian) (05:15)
14. Capítulo 21 Auxia (German Fafian) (06:50)
15. 15 Manual de Criptozoología – Final (00:27)
Lineup
Carlos Aguilera (Troubled Mind) / Synthesizers (9)
Paco Asensi / Keyboards (8, 11), Drums (8, 10, 11, 14)
Alessandro di Benedetti (Mad Crayon, Inner Prospekt) / Keyboards (6)
Mario Bocanegra (Qamar) / Drums (9, 12)
Pablo Canalís (Senogul) / Ocean and Water Sounds (4), Keyboards (4), Conch Shell (4), Waterphone (4), Native American Flute (4), Bass (11)
José Carballido / Vocals (6, 7, 10), Electric Guitar (6, 10), Keyboards (7, 10)
José Cifuentes (Ex-Moebius) / Flute (6, 8, 12), Sax (11)
Raúl Díaz / Keyboards (3)
Noné Easter / Electric Guitar (5)
German Fafian (Axiom9, Axis Ensemble, German Fafian) / Cuatro (9), Guitars (9, 13), Keyboards (9), Electric Guitar (11), Modular Synthesis (9, 13, 14), Rhythm Guitar (14), Mixing (14)
Chus Gancedo (United Progressive Fraternity) / Drums (3, 6)
Oscar García (Project Claudia) / Drums (14), Percussion (14)
Alberto Mateos (Project Claudia) / Bass (3, 8, 10, 14), Guitar (14), Keyboards (14), Mandolin (14)
Alicia Pacha / Vocals (12)
Rafael Pacha (San Barandán, La Banda del Lago, Last Knight, The Guildmaster, Samurai of Prog, Pacha & Pörsti) / Guitars (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, 12, 13), Percussions (2, 9), Keyboards (2, 5, 7, 8, 11), Psaltery (3, 12), Fretless Bass (4), Hulusi (5, 12), Recorders (8, 12), Flutes (9), Zither (8, 9), Violin (8), Melodica (8), Viola Da Gamba (9), Cuatro (9), Synthesizers (10, 13), Electric Guitar (8, 11), Tablas (12), Production.
Alfonso Romero (El Tubo Elástico) / Chapman Stick (2, 6, 12), Bass (9).
Joaquín Sáinz (Malabriega, Joaquín Sáinz) / Electric Guitar (5, 8)
Manuel Soto Noly (Mártires del Compás, Malabriega, Graci Rodríguez Band, Manuel Soto Noly) / Acoustic Guitar (5), Keyboards (5), Drum Programming (5)
Cochè Vil (Cochè Vil Band, Costas) / Guitar Solos (14)
Claudia Zurdo (Project Claudia) / Vocals (3, 6, 14)
Alexandro Baldassarini, María José Vaquero Pichu / Narrator
Ángel G. Lajarín / Art and Digital Design
Patricia García / Text Correction
Javier Cremades / Video Editing