With "Más Allá de Nuestras Mentes Diminuta", Cai made quite a big entry in the world of Southern Spain's progressive movement. This work has some of the typical lack of inner cohesion and overall direction that you might usually expect from the majority of debut albums, yet it also ostensibly portrays the talents of all individual members and of the band as a whole. There are some variations in the CD's tracklist depending on the release (before an official edition graces our prog rock stores, which is long overdue). My copy has the following sequence: 'Alameda' - 'Más Allá de Nuestras Mentes Diminuta' - 'Solución a un Viejo Problema' - 'Pasa un Día'. The opener 'Alameda' brings some of the best that Cai had to offer during their first era: after kicking off with a 2.30 Floydian intro, the main motif emerges with a solid combination of Andalusian stuff and hard rock prog, on a robust yet not too frantic tempo. The instrumental coda brings an exciting air of Flamenco-tinged jazz fusion that somehow feels a bit too short after it's concluded. Then comes the title track, more focused on the jazz thing: to a high degree, influenced you their Northern compatriots of Iceberg as well as Weather Report, the Andalusian aura remains a solid ingredient in both the melodic lines and effective arrangements. A special mention has to go to guitarist Paco Delgado's precise delivery - a great closure, indeed, for a great track! This element comes to its fruition in the 3/4 sung coda, which sounds to me like a mixture of "Hijos del Agobio"- era Triana and vintage Genesis. The first half turns out to be the album's best part, since what follows somewhat breaks the cohesive spirit that had been so fluidly and softly delivered. 'Solución a un Viejo Problema' is set on the path of standardized melodic symphonic prog, in the shape of a prog power ballad. The coda that occupies the last 2 minutes is a space-rock meets jazz-rock instrumental travel constructed as some sort of compromise between "Wish You Were Here"-era Pink Floyd and classic Caravan. This ending portion is really exciting, but it does not manage to make the overall song exceptional. The 10+ "Pasa un Día" closes down the album in a most impressive way: it was to become one of the most celebrated staples in the band's gigs. Yes, it's a very good song, showing Cai at their rockiest, once more exorcising their Floydian ghosts. The string synth and organ layers dominate the main colours of the main picture during the sung parts (which may remind the listener of Bloque). The instrumental interlude that starts at minute 3 initially brings back some of the jazzy thing that became the band's real forte (amazing solo by keyboardist Sebastián Domínguez), until an ethereal sub-interlude anticipates the return of the rocky main motif. The 3-minute coda turns into a typical Andalusian flavoured amalgam (in parallel to Mezquita), sustained under an almost tribal drumkit vibe Let me tell you how well the rhythm section works during the transitions: a well oiled device within an amazing machine. 'Pasa Un Día' is certainly delicious, yet it epitomizes both the strong and the low points that the band was carrying on their back by then: great musical imagination, great complementation, not 100 % cohesive, with some things to work out regarding the artistic direction. My personal mark for this album lies somewhere between 3.5 and 4 stars: much more than good, almost excellent. In short "Más Allá de Nuestras Mentes Diminutas" is a testimony of the growing peculiar genius of Cai.

WARNING: THE CONSTANT LISTENING OF THIS RECORD CAN CAUSE A SEVERE ADDICTION

This is simply a jewel of Symphonic Prog; my skepticism was beaten by the great musicianship that this Spanish band showed. The mix of the Flamenco-Andalusian style with the classical symphonic elements fit perfectly on the sound that these guys tried to emulate in a very successful way. It was such a surprise for me to find in them such an outstanding album in my own language; which is not precisely the most prolific in this genre. A keyboard oriented album which is performed perfectly by each member.

The increasing structure of each song is awesome, and the vocal style leaves you speechless. But let's get it on with the review of this great experience.

"Soñé Contigo" is some kind of love song that is magnificently sung by Diego Fopiani, the keyboards and the bass are also remarkable. The lyrics are very simple, but deep at the same time, they forget about all the rhetoric and they only concentrate to reach their goal.

"Despertar" has an excellent performance that continues almost the same line of the previous track, but the vocals have here a more relevant role.

"Alegrías de Cai" is an instrumental piece where the band makes a show of their ability on each one of their instruments. I know it may sound too exaggerated but it's almost inevitable the comparison with Banco del Mutuo Soccorso.

"Noche Abierta" is, in my opinion, the strongest moment in the album in which the guitar acquires a more important place in the song with the Flamenco feel.

"Extraña Seducción" ironically posses a unique charm, the song has some excellent progressions especially when the band explores through different time signatures, the complexity is increased as the song goes by.

"La Fábula" starts with some kind of psychedelic sounds. Once again, the unique vocal style stands out from the rest of the band, and the guitar takes off for a pretty decent performance through all the track, the lyrics have a more intricate develop as the name says, it's told in some kind of metaphor as in a fable that contrasts in some way with the rest of the album.

"La Roca Del Diablo" is the second instrumental track and it's the longest one too. The sound is too hard to describe, because it's very changing, but it's also one the most solid passages of the record.

In conclusion, the sensation after playing this album is pretty grateful. All put together form a sensational release, enjoyable since the beginning to the end. This is obviously a masterpiece in all senses. I can't give it less than 5 stars.

Cai is a top notch Spanish progrock band that made three studio-albums, this is their final effort.

1. El viaje (4:38) : A very pleasant and melodic sound featuring wonderful Spanish vocals (warm and a bit melancholical undertone), tasteful keyboards (including a fluent synthesizer solo), twanging electric guitars and a strong rhythm-section.

2. Tu mirada (3:12) : This one delivers a mid-tempo with a jazzy synthesizer solo, handclapping and fiery electric guitar, supported by sparking piano play.

3. Mercadillo del piojito (4:32) : A track thats sounds like a very dynamic blend of jazzrock and symphonic with splendid interplay, beautiful string-ensemble and Fender Rhodes piano. The powerful and moving guitarwork reminds me of Carlos Santana (his jazzrock-era). GREAT!

4. Donde tu estas (3:52) : First classical piano and warm vocals, then a slow rhythm with the wonderful string-ensemble sound, blended with sparkling piano. The final part contains sensitive, often howling electric guitar and soft synthesizer flights.

5. Fiesta en el barrio (3:38) : "Fiesta" is Spanish for "party", no surprise that the climate in this song is cheerful (a 'latin feel') with a swinging rhythm and excellent interplay between the guitar and keyboards.

6. Caletera (2:44) : It starts with the distinctive Fender Rhodes piano sound, then a mid-tempo featuring sensitive eelctric guitar and again the wonderful string- ensemble sound!

7. Camino a seguir (4:24) : This one has a pleasant mid-tempo with a swinging bass, beautiful electric guitarplay and emotional vocals.

8. Cancion de la primavera (4:40) : The final track delivers a cheerful atmosphere with lush keyboards, expressive vocals and great interplay between the guitar and keyboards, supported by a dynamic rhythm-section.

Don't expect very complex music or typical progrock with lots of soli and shifting moods. Just enjoy the wonderful melodic and harmonic music from just another wonderful Spanish progrock gem!

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