"Alex Saba is a composer and multi-instrumentalist from Rio de Janeiro - Brazil. His works mix different styles, but always instrumental, no words, straight to the heart." - Sandra Florencio (co-producer)
"Saba's second album, Missa Universalis, is a far superior release, though it's arguably less "Progressive" and more into the "World Music" genre.
This is a suite intended to be performed at a Catholic Mass.
The instruments are very varied in this work, and the performance is much tighter than in Angel's Dream (his first album).
Saba has all but abandoned the guitar for this album (except for one acoustic guitar track).
"Consecration" is almost oriental sounding with its wood flutes and gongs, but also uses tablas and tympani for percussion and tubular bells for harmonies.
Saba melds these cross-cultural sounds together perfectly into a very nice piece.
"Communion" somehow manages to fuse a Pierre Moerlin-style marimba and a Philip Glass counterpoint arpeggio into another excellent composition.
The other piece of this album on the sampler is "Closing Hymn", not quite as memorable as the other two cuts, but also a good piece.
Based on these samples, I would definitely recommend this album, though not if you're only looking for '70's symphonic prog.
It's definitly not that.
The music is all instrumental, so if you're concerned about it being too preachy, don't be." Fred Trafton - The New Gibraltar Encyclopedia (http://www.gepr.net/geprfram.htm)
Check out the artist's website:
http://www.alexsaba.comTrack List:
1. Introitus
2. Kyrie Eleison
3. Penitential Act (short Version)
4. Gloria in Excelcius Deo
5. The First Reading
6. The Gospel
7. Creed
8. Offering
9. Consecration 1
10. Our Father
11. Live Long and Prosper
12. Communion
13. Closing Hymn
14. Penitential Act (complete Version)
15. Consecration 2
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