II

Psiglo II is the second and last album by the Uruguayan band Psiglo. This album shows a more mature band, and it is a great improvement to the debut. Here we have the most progressive material by them, with lots of tempo changes and masterful playing of every instrument.

"Cambiaras al Hombre" (4:35): A great opening, with some great guitar playing by César Rechac. More hard-rock than progressive. 4 out of 5.

"Heroe de papel" (3:49): A wonderful song with a strong political message (at this time Uruguay was living in a strong dictatorship, which delayed the release of this album for 7 years without this song). It shows the great flute playing by Jorge García. 5 out of 5.

"Construir, Destruir" (6:06): The weakest track of the album. The song is far too repetitive and the lyrics aren't as good as the others. 3 out of 5

"No tiene razon de ser" (7:05): Another great song, it has lots of power and a great message. Towards the end we have a decent keyboard solo. 4 out of 5.

"El juglar y yo" (8:49): By far the best song of the album. Jorge Garcia never played better his Hammond. A wonderful track that is all over the place. At 2:18 all the band really kicks of, simply outstanding. It ends with a gentle narration by Ruben Melogno. 5 out of 5.

"Gil 1080" (11:55): The epic of the band. The name of the track it's taken from the studio they had in the street "Gil" number 1080. Another wonderful track with a great group effort, everyone It's just top notch. The song goes through several changes without losing it's magic. Towards the end there is a wonderful sax solo. 5 out of 5.

In conclusion, Psiglo II is their masterpiece and probably the best progressive rock album made in Uruguay (along with El Profeta). Because of the great song and outstanding playing I will give it, 4 out of 5.

A group of friends formed this legendary act from Montevideo, Uruguay in early-70's, namely Luis Cesio on guitar/vocals, Cesar Rechac on bass, Jorge Garcia Banegas on keyboards, Julio Dallier on guitar and Carmelo Albano on bass.When Dallier and Albano left in 1971, they were replaced by Ovni 87's singer Ruben Melogno and drummer Gonzalo Farrugia.First single comes out in 1972 and the band promoted it by writing on the streets ''Those who have not yet purchased the Psiglo single are for the psychiatrist''!!!!A second single comes out the same year, becoming gold, in the meantime Psiglo played alongside other great rock groups such as Totem and Dias De Blues.In 1973 their Heavy/Blues Rock debut ''Ideacion'' comes out on Clave and the following year they recorded the follow-up, which was only released in 1981, again on Caval, due to the dictatorship and social-economical circumstances.

The short, opening tracks of this release (named simply ''II'') follow the vein of their debut, groovy and intense Heavy Rock with deep bass lines, nice guitar leads, lots of organ and some discreet flute parts, containing some evident psychedelic and Blues touches and highlighted by the voice of singer Ruben Melogno.The longer pieces, such as ''No tiene razon de ser'','' El juglar y yo'' and the 12-min. ''Gil 1038'' show the group sinking into a more complex and poetic Heavy Rock, which is still led by the omnipresent electric guitars and organ, but containing now some more extended instrumental parts and progressive ideas.''No tiene razon de ser'' is a great example of the style with impressive vocals and bass, the guitar work of Cesion in the instrumental parts is excellent and the Hammond organ of Banegas prevail with an opening Classical nuance and a later jazzy color akin to COLOSSEUM II.''El juglar y yo'' is even more complex, reminding a bit of Italian Prog of the 70's and even Argentinians ALAS, the sound is still a deep Heavy Rock style, which is now washed with occasional Classical, Jazz and Fusion instrumentals, Banegas is definitely the hero here, displaying an ability to pass from psychedelic organs to virtuosic executions.The end is pretty great, very much in the vein of GREENSLADE, with complex breaks and moves on guitar and Hammond organ.Great stuff.''Gil 1038'' is another winner, more into a Prog/Psych realm, with changing tempos, atmospheres and instrumental colors, this one passes from lyrical moments and mellow psychedelic moves to schizophenic Heavy Rock instrumentals and loose jams.

Dissapointed by the situation in the country Gonzalo Farrugia left for Argentina and joined the fantastic band of Crucis.He was followed by Rechac, who was replaced by Gustavo Munoz and later Charlie Oviedo, while the new drummer was Hermes Calabria.However Psiglo disbanded for good in 1975.Keyboardist Jorge Garcia Banegas moved to Spain and joined Asfalto, same trip for Calabria, who went to join Azabache.

Several LP reissues are out along with CD reissues of both LP's by Psiglo, one of the most interesting and progressive Rock bands to emerge from Uruguay.Solid and intricate Heavy Rock with electric guitars and Hammond organ in evidence, a great purchase for all lovers of 70's Prog.