Tantra
Mistérios e Maravilhas

Release Date: 1977 | Tracklist

“Mistérios E Maravilhas” is the debut studio album of Tantra and was released in 1977. The line up on the album is Manuel Cardoso, Armando Gama, Américo Luis and Tó Zé Almeida.


Tantra was a Portuguese progressive rock band formed in 1977 by Manuel Cardoso also known as “Frodo”. Tantra was always a band led by their guitarist Cardoso. In the mid of the 70’s, Cardoso lived in England and played in several local pubs with various local musicians. When he decided to return to Portugal, he was naturally very influenced by the British progressive rock music of the time. He said that his main musical influences, in the beginning, were Pink Floyd, Genesis, Yes and The Moody Blues, and as a guitarist, Jimi Hendrix. Then, Cardoso decided to join with the keyboardist Gama, more focused on the pop and classical, and both decided to do a new musical experience in Portugal, the band Tantra. Later, two other musicians were joined to them, the drummer Almeida and the bassist Luis. But, in 1978 Gama decided to leave the band to pursue a solo career. To substitute him, they decided to choose keyboardist Pedro Luis.

“Mistérios E Maravilhas” was prepared over a year and a half. In reality, “Mistérios E Maravilhas” is another great album of excellent prog rock music that was produced in the 70’s, in Portugal which, unfortunately, seems to fell into the oblivion by part of the Portuguese public, which continues to prefer styles of music with dubious quality. This is even most unfair, because we continue having a Manuel Cardoso very struggling to continue with the band, which I think it’s maybe still active today, having released in 2002 “Terra” and in 2005 their last album, until today, entitled “Delirium”.

“Mistérios E Maravilhas” is a an amazing album with some very complex arrangements, seeking inspiration from highly renowned British bands such as Genesis, Pink Floyd or Yes, containing also toxicity and psychedelic “twists” as seen in Camel, Armageddon and the final stage of Steamhammer. It contains two instrumentals in which the drums, guitar and keyboards take the main place, the title track “Mistérios e Maravilhas” and the epic “Máquina Da Felicidade”. They could easily be compared to any of the tracks composed by the bands mentioned above. Instrumental madness and lyrical intelligence are well present in the opening track “À Beira do Fim” and in the last track “Partir Sempre”. The latter has a spectacular guitar solo and a “ton” of effects worthy of gods, like King Crimson, Genesis or Pink Floyd.

“À Beira Do Fim” is the track with more influences of Genesis. When the song was performed live, Cardoso used a mask, bought in England, which reminds Peter Gabriel. They also used firework effects on their live shows. It’s why their live shows were considered influenced by Genesis. “Aventuras De Um Dragão Num Aquário” it’s an instrumental, only performed by the acoustic guitar of Cardoso. It reminds me Steve Hackett and Steve Howe. It’s a good track in the vein of both guitarists. “Mistérios E Maravilhas” is an instrumental with great individual performances by all. It’s influenced by Yes’ sound, with great jazz influences and an Eastern touch. “Máquina Da Felicidade” is the most original, the best, and the most prog track. It has a good drum solo by Almeida, so typical in the 70’s, especially in the live shows. It reminds me the drum solo of Karl Palmer on the debut album of Emerson, Lake & Palmer. “Variações Sobre Uma Galáxia” is an instrumental only performed by Gama with piano. It’s a piece influenced by classical music in Rick Wakeman’s style. “Partir Sempre” is a fantastic track that closes the album and represents Gama’s farewell. It’s the second track with lyrics and is sung by him. It’s also a track strongly influenced by the guitar sound of Steve Howe.

To complete my feelings about this album, I must say one more thing. I was lucky to be one of the many thousands of fans who were present at the first live performance of the group at the Coliseu dos Recreios in Lisbon, in December of 1977. I was only 19 years old but I still have fresh images from that concert in my memory. The Coliseu was completely filled and about 300 people were unable to enter. It was a fantastic live concert at the same level of many other foreigner great bands at the time despite those bands have in general more technical and professional experience that they had.


Conclusion: Tantra, especially with “Mistérios E Maravilhas”, is a band musically strong influenced by the music of Genesis and Yes, sonically with great effects and by the visual of the early Genesis’ era, the Gabriel’s era, and also with some Eastern musical influences. At that time Manuel Cardoso and Tó Zé Almeida practiced yoga. Sometimes, very jazzy rock instrumental passages determine the music, characterized by the keyboards, the powerful guitar work, the very dominant bass and the versatility of the drum work. “Mistérios E Maravilhas” offers excellent symphonic prog rock from Portugal, which I highly recommend to anyone who can’t get enough the music of the classical phase of the genre. At the time, not much of the same high quality was produced. So, “Mistérios E Maravilhas” is a fantastic album, really.


Music was my first love.
John Miles (Rebel)

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