SIENDO PERRO

Recorded in 2010, this is the third album by this Chilean band evolved from the ashes of Fulano (thanks to reedman Christian Crisosto). This is also an album showing a perfectly controlled maturity, from the writing for wind ensemble to the cooking of groovy lines. Crisosto's daughter Regina also gets an increasing role, clearly in evidence from the first track on, where her vocal scat wails on the R&B flavoured tune; upfront solo, recitating or singing in unisson with other instruments, she adds a firm touch to the whole. With three musicians playing a broad assortment of wind instruments (saxes, clarinets and flutes), this will surprise no one to say that this album is a brassy affair! Mediabanda's strength lies imo in the clever ensemble playing and writing the reedmen are exposed to: be it unisson or contrapuntic lines, free blowing, wild soloing (check the solo at break neck speed and doubled tempo on track 5!), fantastic dynamics ( track 8, launched by a gong, offers incredible atmospheric dynamic up and downs, ending in a free rolling bass clarinet backed by the rest of the band), the horns rule! Another strength is the stylistic versatility, coupled to the *role* associated to certain instruments: the bass is often funky, with plenty of slap; track 4 seems to be very close in its rhythmic structure to Miles' hit Jean-Pierre; guitars are responsible for the heavy tunes (tracks 5 , 7) but also deliver a great work on harmonics, picked syncopated lines or atmospheric sequences; the saxophone is jazz symbol number one and inspiring solos abound here! All this nailed firmly by Christian Hirth's dynamic and flexible drum playing, an important basis and pushing element that shouldn't be forgotten. Maybe the band's versatility can be pointed at its best in the third track, the longest too, exceeding ten minutes. Sustained throughout by a rhythm pattern in 11/4, you'll hear passing by atmospheric airy vocals, superb guitar harmonics, syncopated sax/voice lines, another ascending one with vocal scat, overtaken by a doubling of the tempo and a fantastic free sax solo! Another shot by an intelligent band, enjoy!

3.5 stars. I spent three weeks in June of 2008 getting to know the band FULANO really well. I was so impressed with the theatrical female vocals that were unrestrained. Her name is Arlette by the way. The music was more in the avant/jazz style and full of energy. When their leader passed at an early age of 43 they disbanded and started fresh with a new name MEDIABANDA. Arlette continued to sing on their first two albums but shared the vocals with a girl named Regina. Well "Siendo Perro" is where Regina becomes the full time singer as Arlette leaves the band.

I have 3 star ratings for FULANO as well, when your talking about avant/jazz in my world, well, it doesn't always work. Like here in my opinion. It's the only MEDIABANDA record on RYM to be tagged with rap and brutal prog. Not a fan of either even if those two references are a bit of a stretch. My favourite track is "La Crisis Llego Cuando Estaba En El Mall" at almost 10 1/2 minutes, the longest. While this is a powerful album, this is the song where we get some beauty early on.

I do like "Pascualama" where the bass shakes the soundscape. That seventh song with the longest title has some ripping guitar on it along with riffs but I'm not big on it. I'm surprised at male vocals on a couple of tracks including that one. The other one with male singing is the balled-like closer that is so disappointing and a big reason I can't go 4 stars here. Why? They are still having fun, but this is the first recording without Arlette being involved. It's not the same.

By the way my favourite MEDIABANDA album is "Bombas en El Aire" from 2017, and it's part of my best-of "Jazz & Related" list. An incredible album with another new female vocalist who like the others can bring it in spades. Valentina is her name. "Siendo Perro" is a good album but it doesn't reach the level of their other studio albums in my opinion.