ARCO IRIS - Los Elementales [1977] Jazz Rock/Fusion (Argentina)

A leading band in the developpement of the South America progressive rock scene with Los Jaivas and a few others. Their music is a solid combination of jazz rock, ethnic folk with sometimes subtle "spacey" symphonic arrengements. The initial formation is composed by Altar Tokatlián (winds), Gustavo Santaolalla (voice and guitar), Guillermo Bordarampé. They first formed several bands in the 60s (The Rovers, The Blackbyrds, The Crows) to play covers. They finally recorded their first effort back at the end of the 60´s. It´s an orinal mixture of typical Latin folk, acoustic music and 60´s "acid" rock. After the departure of Alberto Cascino, the drummer Horacio Droopy Gianello integrates the band. They record "Suite numero 1" in 1972 also for RCA. The album "Tiempo de resurrección" published the same year will affirm the own musical identity of the band: an outstanding blend of fusion "folk" music with jazz rock. The double LP "Sudamerica o il regresso a la Aurora" represents the summit of the band in term of orchestral achievement. The music offers an unique multi influences rock universe, made of blues, native music, jazz...Released in 1973 "Inti-Raymi" is a good following to their previous effort but generally seen as less captivating. After the spiritual "Ara Tokatlián & Enrique Villegas : inspiracion" (1975) "Los elementales" (1977) will largely put the stress on freak out jazzy rock improvisations. After this classic period the band has continued to produce records until today, reaching their sound in a more new age and mellow jazz direction.

By Philippe Blache, FRANCE

Track Listings
Elemental de Tierra
1.Gob (Maestro-Mago de los Gnomos)
2.Destilando el Perfume de los Minerales

Elemental de Fuego
1.Cristalizando los Rayos del Sol
2.Djin (Maestro-Mago de las Salamandras)

Elemental de Agua
1.Despertar de los Hijos de la Man~ana
2.Necksa (Maestro-Mago de las Ondinas)

Elemental del Aire
1.Los Nacidos del Viento
2.Paralda (Maestro-Mago de los Silfos)

Line-up/Musicians
Ara Tokatlian - Saxs, flutes, mini moog, synths, piano and vocals
Guillermo Bodarampe - Bass, acoustic guitar and vocals
Ignacio Elisavetsky - Guitars and vocals
Jose Luis Perez - Drums, percussion and vocalsDana - Vocal

....

SEE COMMENTS