The fourth installment of Fernando Perdomo’s all-instrumental progressive rock series doesn’t yield any musical surprises. That is a good thing, as the quality of this fascinating twelve-album series has been consistently strong. ‘Waves 4’, out now ( https://fernandoperdomo.bandcamp.com/album/waves-4 ), does not disappoint. The album opener, “Pulled In,” is a sonic masterpiece, creating the feel of swimming against a relentless tide. Perdomo’s electric guitar work is sweeping as it plays off the building bass and ride cymbal-dominated drums. Perdomo incorporates his vintage progressive rock keyboard sounds, adding to the song’s expansive nature. 

“The Tunnel” shifts the theme slightly. It, too, has dramatic note-bending guitar work, yet the rhythm section ( remember, it’s all Perdomo’s playing) lays a little behind the beat, giving the song a dramatic presence. Perdomo shifts the tone of his guitar leads, effectively shifting the song’s mood. Let’s hope Perdomo comes out with a vinyl compilation of the Waves album series at the end of the year. I’d love to know what guitars and keys were utilized on this gem and the other songs.

“The Thunder, “The Rain,” and “The Mist” shift the mood with Perdomo’s exquisite acoustic guitar picking. The melodically rich songs are gorgeously crafted, with overdubbed acoustic guitars washing over the listener. The song could have easily been the cornerstone for another of Perdomo’s acoustic guitar albums. 

“The Most Beautiful Giant (tallgirlkatie)” shifts the mood. Its relatively straightforward drums and bass parts perfectly support Perdomo’s slide guitar-like leads. Perdomo does through in a melodic curve ball, shifting mood and time signatures to keep the listener on the edge of his seat and sprinkling in touches of Hammond B3 organ before the distorted lead guitar retakes flight.  The acoustic guitar-driven “Beauty” brings us back to earth with its precise nylon string work that melds with touches to electric guitar for just under 3 minutes of guitar-driven goodness. The album closer “The West Bay ( for David and Patricia)” conjures a foreboding them. The song, similar to the prior track, “ The Most Mysterious Man,” seems dark and brooding. The guitars and keyboard touches are delicate and nuanced. Touches of percussion and ethereal keyboards enhance the dense and emotive melody. Perdomo’s sitar-like lead guitar cast a mysterious spell. Unfortunately, the spell’s outcome is unknown, as the 3-minute song does not tell all its secrets. Perhaps ‘Waves 5’ will answer some of the questions raised here with these ten fascinating songs.