js Stratus Luna is a very youthful ( band members’ ages range from teens to early 20s) instrumental prog rock/fusion band from Brazil who have just released their debut album featuring music with a strong maturity that would lead you to believe you are listening to accomplished veterans. A good reference point for Luna’s music could be early 70s jazzy progsters such as those in the Canterbury scene, or even closer, famed Dutch quartet, Focus. The similarity to Focus is furthered by the band’s size (quartet), the way they alternate melodic guitar passages with Hammond B3 buildups and the fact that keyboardist Gustavo Santiago also doubles on flute. The 70s influence is there, but Luna also adds modern and personal influences from the worlds of electronica, post rock and Brazilian fusion.

Every track features those sort of eclectic arrangements favored by the prog rock crowd, but this is today’s prog, a little more streamlined and less indulgent than their 70s forebears. Ricardo is quite capable of intense fusion solos on the guitar, but he often favors a more melodic approach reminiscent of Phil Manzenera or David Gilmour. Some album highlights include, “O Centro do Labirinto” which features a classic huge Mellotron chorus that builds through upward spiraling chord progressions as it reaches for the heavenly beyond. “Zarabatana” is based on alternating sections of Brazilian fusion and Indian ambiance. “NREM-1” is free floating electronic soundscapes and “Pandas Voadores” features a sort of rock flavored swing feel. It also helps that the recording quality and production on here are excellent, the sound of Stratus Luna in the studio is massive.