Valvulado: TORGA OSTERA - Psychedelic/Space Rock • Portugal

Torga Ostera biography (http://www.progarchives.com/artist.asp?id=7705)

TORGA OSTERA is a promising new band from central Portugal that consists of João Francisco on vocals and guitar, Jorge Marinheiro (who replaced José Monteiro in 2012) on keyboards, Eurico Moleirinho on bass and Renato Dias on drums.

They describe themselves as a Space Rock-inspired band and they sure produce the goods with a blend of music that's fashioned around late-sixties and seventies British psychedelic rock and Portuguese music. The sound of their debut album is primarily based on mellow PINK FLOYD inspired grooves, not unlike some of the works of ELOY and NOVALIS, but also modern bands like NEGATIVE ZONE and AIRBAG, although unlike those bands, lyrics are in the band's mother tongue, where comparisons might be draw with the work of fellow Portuguese artists like PETRUS CASTRUS, JORGE PALMA or the more recent TORANJA. They pride themselves on their mix of analog and digital recording, relying on the use of a series of vintage equipment to produce new, but still familiar sounds.

Their debut album ''Queda Ascendente'' (2012) was recorded in Portugal but mastered in the UK by producer Jon Astley who has worked with a host of famous artists but is probably best known for his work with THE WHO. The result of this undertaking is a collection of laid-back guitar proposals containing lengthy instrumental passages. The keyboard work of Monteiro is never obtrusive and blends in nicely with the twin electric guitars in similar manner to that of Rick Wright. When you factor in the female backing vocals and slide guitars the take on PINK FLOYD is strengthened. Lyrics deal with philosophical issues and the Portuguese rhythm of life, which gives the music a very localized, national feel. The diverse musical influences of the group (which range from 70's classics of prog, funk and also punk, and national and foreign acts like CLÃ, PLUTO or RADIOHEAD) anticipate a more song-driven approach in future releases.

While it isn't innovative or challenging, it's wonderfully executed. Highly recommended.