ARCHIVOS - EMI

A 2on1 collection that features all of Alas' recorded output from 75 until the close of the decade. This means that their first (and only) single, released in 75, is included as bonus tracks at the back of their (relatively-short) first album on the first disc. As for their substantially longer (and very rare) Pinta album, it fills the second disc, but the whole thing couldn't have been crammed into a ingle disc. See my separate reviews for the two albums, but here I will expand n the single. Although relatively different from their debut album's material, the single Aire track sonically fits somewhat well with it, despite some light wordless vocals, but the ELP inspiration was already well noticeable. As for the quieter and sung Mi Viejo Rincon, it clashes a tiny bit more, almost nearing Italian crooner prog. But overall, if you were not warned of the presence of these bonus tracks, you'd probably not notice too much the different recording seesions between the single and the full album. However, on the second disc, their second album is relatively different.

The major gripe I have against this type of "compilation" is that as usual, the original artworks are sacrificed with something that usually has nothing to do with the albums, and such is the case here. Indeed, both albums' covers are reduced laughably and posted on the back cover. This isn't really a problem for the very bland debut album illustration (almost reminiscent of an early Aerosmith logo) but in case of the exceedingly rare second album, much of the colourful finesse is totally lost here. However, two pictures of the bands are included in the Spanish-only booklet, though I suspect it's the same line-up in both. As a conclusion, this Archives pack is probably the only way to have everything from Alas, and if you can find the separate artworks reduced to CD size and include them in the jewel case, it'll be be everything you'll ever need from this very interesting Argentinean keyboard trio.

This is a CD reissue by EMI, indeed, not only supporting Marillion but also Argentinian prog legend Alas. This 2-CD compilation from 2001 contains the LP's Alas from 1976 (with 2 bonustracks) and Pinta Tu Aldea from 1979, both in different trio line-ups. The musical brainchild and constant factor in the band is multi-instrumentalist Gustavo Moretto, he plays keyboards, violin, trumpet, bandoneon, flute, and he also does the vocals.

Gustavo had a lot of success with the pioneering jazzrock formation Alma Y Vida, but in 1974 he founded Alas to make progressive rock. The music on the debut album contains in the more symphonic rock oriented interludes a lush keyboard sound, with powerful Hammond and cascades of Minimoog runs (often with pitchbend), Patrick Moraz comes to my mind. But in general Alas delivers a fusion of jazz, rock and folk, often pretty experimental, with many interesting msucial ideas. The one moment a fluent rhythm with swirling Hammond, the other moment jazzy Fender Rhodes electric piano work and wonderful string-ensemble. Or virtuosic play on the Steinway grand piano with swirling flute and speedy runs on the acoustic guitar, like 'Keith Emerson meets John McLaughlin'. A real treat is the distinctive bandoneon sound, frequently blended into the music of Alas. The second album is instrumental, it sounds like the first one but more adventurous, like interplay between a trumpet and string-ensemble. Remarkable are the many sensational soli on the Moog synthesizer, and the frequent use of the Fender Rhodes electric piano, adding a jazzy element to the music.

If you are up to keyboard oriented jazz and jazzrock and an adventurous and experimental prog sound, Alas is a band to discover.

My rating 3,5 star.