2nd Roof Feat. Jake LA Furia, Nitro, Speranza Berlusconi

Argentinian outfit Habitat, which first and foremost is the creative vehicle of composer and multi-instrumentalist Aldo Pinelli. "Tratando De Respirar En La Furia" is Spanish for "Trying To Breath Amidsts The Fury", and by listening to what Habitat have achieved in this fourth release you can tell that the final result was more than just an attempt - it turned out to be a real accomplishment of composition, musicality and sonic transparency. "Tratando De Respirar En La Furia" is, all in all, a beautiful example of symphonic prog imagination from South American lands and the manifesto for Hábitat's maturity as a progressive rock voice it its own terms.

This 2007 recording of J.S. Bach's Johannes Passion, featuring Concerto d'Amsterdam and the Flemish vocal ensemble La Furia, uses the 1725 version of the piece, which substitutes some movements (most noticeably the opening chorus) more staid than those of the 1724 version. That decision to go for restraint rather than passion carries over to the performance style, as well, which tends to be reserved and tastefully correct rather than stirringly dramatic. It couldn't be characterized as flaccid because there is certainly a high energy level when appropriate, but even in these sections the performers seem more concerned with brisk precision than with stirring the blood.