MEDIABANDA

This is the fourth album by "Mediabanda" and is in fact a Tribute Album. The ten songs are originally recorded by "Fulano" a fusion band in which Cristian Crisosto was a saxophonist. Today (like many "old" bands), Mediabanda is by formed Crisosto (62) and a bunch of musical "nephews" (young musicians in their 20's). This tribute includes some of Fulano's great songs, taken from their first 4 albums. The fact that it is sung in Spanish, should not be a problem, since most of the vocalizations are actually "scat". My favorite song, played almost the same as the original, is "Suite Recoleta" a beautiful collection of themes that allude to a popular and ever changin' neighborhood of Santiago, Chile's capital city. The new version of "Adolfo, Benito, Augusto, Toribio" is a totally "rebuilt" one. Being a critic of fascism/nazism ("Hitler, Mussolini, Pinochet, Merino", the latter members of Chilean dictatorship during the late 70's and 80's), replace Hitler's speech intro with one of the current Chilean president. The feeling of chaos is now worked from synthesizer sounds. All In all a great album.

What was it Robert Christgau said? "It's not impressive or difficult to rock out in 9/8 - it's impossible"? Well, these guys are sure showing him: not only are they rocking out, they're jumping all around, getting drunk and partying the house down in 9/8 and various time signatures. This album adds a very nice funky Latin element to what is in and of itself quite a rhythmically complex jazz fusion basis, creating a convincing balance between the Apollonian and Dionysian for all of those stuffy music snobs who hear the call of the dancefloor but feel too good for regular 4/4 beats. Something like that. Actually, I am not able to confirm at this moment if this album is at all fit for playing at any party, but even when you're alone and with headphones on it is a hoot to listen to all the same.

All the musicians are given their fair time to shine, with band leader/saxophonist/flautist Cristián Crisosto (who's not shy in adding some cheeky vibrato to his blowing) and drummer Christian Hirth especially giving it their all, but the main star is vocalist Florencia Novoa, whose contributions range from seductive crooning to wordless melodic doublings of the rapid guitar lines. Like I said, the overall atmosphere is one of good fun: the best track is "Godzilla", which has quite an involving main melody and goes through several cool tempo changes near the end but always retains the feeling of looseness and laidbackness, as if it all comes natural to the musicians (I don't quite understand the relevance of the song title, but the king of the monsters would certainly be able to level a major city if he were to try dancing to this tune). Even when the sound gets more edgy and starts vaguely resembling Zeuhl with its synchronized horn blasts and female vocals (as on "Fulano") it sounds hopeful and triumphant.

The whole experience is only soured by the final track, a primitive punk song that lacks an interesting hook and just gets annoying with its shouty vocal delivery and stupid "sieg heil" chants - tongue-in-cheek, undoubtedly, but very tasteless nonetheless; it doesn't fit at all with the rest of the album's jolly carefree tone, so just skip it and you'll have yourself a nice eccentric Latin jazz treat.

MEDIABANDA has won numerous awards in its native Chile for best artist ever since this band was formed by ex-Fulano members Arlette Jequier (vocals, keyboards, clarinet) and Cristian Crisosto (saxophone, flute, bass, clarinet) all the way back in 2004. They immediately made a huge splash on the music scene and even won a FONART, a government fund to promote the arts which they have benefited from immensely. Since this wild and energetic jazz-fusion meets avant-prog band got its introduction to the Spanish speaking world at large, it has remained a bit off the radar in the world of Anglos but yet here we are in the year 2021 and MEDIABANDA is releasing its fifth album MAQUINARIAS and all i can say is, WOW, we gringos have certainly been missing out on one of Chile's best kept musical secret!

While European jazz-rock can get a little heady and abstract, the Latin musical styles are inviting and offer an immediate emotional connection that is fun for the whole family! MEDIABANDA is an absolute giant of the world of jazz-rock by taking the infectious grooves of funk, rumba, cumbia and reggae and throwing it into the blender with ample doses of progressive rock, moments of angular avant-prog, jazz-fusion and even good old fashioned pop music. The result of this visionary recipe of experimentalism is a playful blend of progressive rock complexities, danceable Latin rhythms, outrageous vocal antics and soft sensuous tones and timbres that even venture into moments of Canterbury Scene splendor.

This is one of those larger than life sounding bands with eight official band members and six guest musicians as well. In the mix are no less than five brass instruments including alto, soprano and tenor saxophones, bass clarinet, flute, traversa flute, trumpet and trombone. The horn section can be chaotically bombastic or sensually fluid and seemingly a single instrument playing in tandem. The tracks can range from flirtatious such as the opening "Perro Chico Malo" with Florencia Novoa's wild and uninhibited vocal style shifts to the more instrumentally inclined such as the title track which ventures into complex time signature shifts that oft remind of classic 70s acts such as Il Balletto Di Bronzo or early Return To Forever.

The track "Fulano" is a dedication to the band that began in 1984 which was the predecessor along with another band Congreso that led to the wealth of sounds on board the MEDIABANDA bandwagon. The track deftly showcases MEDIABANDA's uncanny ability to merge funk grooves, Canterbury jazz, Latin musical styles and the angular side of progressive rock into an amorphous flow of continuity that these skilled musicians make sound ridiculously easy in the process! "Suita Recoleta" really showcases Novoa's vocals in full regalia with a scatting technique reminiscent of Ella Fitzgerald only on hyperdrive and in the much higher registers. Her beautiful vocals colorfully punctuate the flawless transitions of jazz-rock slowly drifting by.

Two tracks, "Suite Recoleta" and "El Dar del Cuerpo" extend past the eight minute mark and showcase the band's ability to improvise in intricate jamming sessions. Shorter tracks like "Señor Gorro Capucho" showcase more complex moods and motifs that wouldn't sound quite as good in such an extended fashion but offer the needed diverse elements to make this a really compelling and fascinating album. This is my first exposure to the infectious sounds of MEDIABANDA but i guarantee it won't be my last. The unique mix of swinging jazz, vocal extravaganzas, progressive rock workouts and larger than life band unity has the overall effect of the type of jazz-rock-fusion act that just makes sense to exist yet i can't think of anyone who has taken this playful and seductive avenue. A real treat this one!

4.5 stars. If you like complex music with plenty of horns and a female vocalist who can sing with power you need to check this band out. Hailing from Chile and born from the ashes of the great FULANO this is a band who checks all the boxes for me. If not for that one song I'd be giving this the full 5 stars. Still an album that will be high on my final "best of" list for 2017. I was disappointed to see that Arlette the former singer for this band and FULANO is no longer here but the new singer who has been part of this band for years anyways is more than an adequate replacement. There's so much going on with each track, there's a lot to describe that's for sure so bear with me.

"Mc Entere Por Facebook" builds to a nice groove with horns. Love the female vocal melodies. Great sound here. A calm around 2 minutes with the drums and bass standing out. Electric piano joins in as we get some beautiful sounds. Dissonant horns before 4 1/2 minutes as the bass and drums impress. Those vocal melodies are back late to end it.

"Bombas En El Aire" opens with horns honking including a bass horn as the vocals arrive with drums in tow. She starts to sing with power a minute in as the music also gets heavier. A calm before 2 minutes as vocals and drums take over. She sings with power once again as themes are repeated. A nice dissonant guitar solo starting before 3 minutes. Horns are back then vocals before 4 minutes to end it.

"El Sofa" is led by the drums early on as we get these random patterns. Complex is the word including the intricate guitar that joins in. So impressive! Horns arrive around 1 1/2 minutes. The vocals before 2 1/2 minutes are kind of jerky like the guitar and drums here. It kicks into a steady groove before 3 minutes and she's singing fast here. The horns are back as the vocals stop. Vocal melodies before 4 1/2 minutes with driving drums and bass. The guitar joins in as well. So good!

"Mi Ego Me Odia" is heavy with guitar to begin with and check out the drumming. Male vocals and horns join in before a minute. Catchy stuff. Intense is the word as the horns join in. Passionate vocals are back to end it.

"Perfectible" is my favourite and it makes me laugh as we almost get her rapping the lyrics. It opens with horns but soon the guitar is ripping it up as the bass throbs and the drums impress big time. So much going on. Incredible! A change before 2 1/2 minutes then those amazing vocals sing with attitude almost spitting out the lyrics, and almost rapping as it were. Head-banging time. Discordant piano around 5 minutes. A mind blowing track.

"Deterioro Plausible De Los I Conos Erroeos" is where they slow it down as we get a beat with keys to start. It kicks in hard with horns just before a minute then settles back as male and female vocals arrive. It kicks in after 1 1/2 minutes but I'm not big on this although it settles again quickly as contrasts continue. My least favourite song by far.

"Wikistan" opens with bass and atmosphere then the drums kick in followed by vocals and horns just before a minute. Her singing is brief and what follows is complex. She's back after 2 1/2 minutes but not for long. I like the drums and horns after 3 minutes then the bass comes to the fore. Electric piano and horns standout after 3 1/2 minutes over the bass and drums. So freaking good as they seem to jam hard here. Guitar only echoes to the end.

"Mediabanda" opens with pulsating piano as the bass and drums join in. Soon vocal melodies arrive then horns as they replace the vocals. She's back before 2 minutes. Love her singing after 2 minutes and check out the bass that follows. The tempo picks up at 3 1/2 minutes, vocal melodies too.

This really is a must if your into adventerous music. Everything about this recording impresses me in a big way. One of the best from 2017!

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!

Chilean band Mediabanda is no more or less the music sequel of Fulano,who disbanded in 2003 after the death of keyboardist Jaime Vivanco,member both of Fulano and Congreso.Paying a tribute to his memory,Fulano's singer Arlette Jequier and wind- instrumentalist Cristián Crisosto renamed the act to Mediabanda,which was actually Vivanco's first band along with ex-Fulano drummer Guillermo "Willy" Valenzuela and Crisosto.The new band developed into a 10-piece act and performed for the first time in January 2003.Their debut ''Entre la Inseguridad y el Ego'' was released the next year on Fondart.

Comparable to some point with Fulano but a bit more versatile,Mediabanda created 14 different pieces of music,exploring the most out of music's possible genres.Mostly colored with the fantastic female voices of Arlette Jequier and Regina Crisosto,the compositions jump from one style to another in a blink of an eye and any try labeling the band is a bit of risk.There is some great Latin-pop mixed with Jazz-Fusion on the less complicated track with plenty of vocal exercises,but the talent of the musicians did not prevent them from following a complex form in most of the album's cuts.The majority of them has a strong R.I.O./Chamber Rock attitude with abstract instrumentals, based on dissonant saxes,light electric piano,complex bass lines and solid drumming.Guitar work is quite strong as well.A few pieces have a definite Classical inspiration and even Symphonic Rock tendencies with excellent piano work and driving flutes,these are for the most of their time quite harmonic pieces.Needless to say the interplays are numerous and certainly of high class.Add to the picture a slight Folk edge and this abstract painting is in front of your eyes,created by a company of musicians with some lust to try anything far from ordinary.

An eclectic mix of sounds and sights and balanced between instrumental labyrinths and vocal- based theatrical Latin cuts, Mediabanda's debut can be easily compared with the best works of Fulano and anyone seeking for some highly educational Progressive Rock with a variety of influences should simply purchase this.Strongly recommended...3.5 stars.

MEDIABANDA from Chile rose out of the ashes of the great FULANO, and so yes we get a strong FULANO vibe. Considering it's the same female vocalist has a lot to do with that, but we also get the crazy Avant / Jazz / Fusion style here with a few more flavours thrown in for good measure. Lots of assorted saxes to go along with the clarinet, flute and trombone. Plenty of marimba and percussion too.The vocals certainly are the focus much of the time but to concentrate on the instrumental work will bring great pleasure guaranteed.This band is awesome to say the least. I must admit I like the follow up double album more but they've packed 78 minutes of entertainment on this cd. By the way the guitar, bass, keys and drumming are all fantastic as well.

"Yo No Se Vas" is impressive vocally with both male and female vocals leading the way with attitude. The spongey bass is almost funky. A bright upbeat way to start. I really like the keys to start "Entre La Inseguridad Y" the title track. Those chunky bass lines follow with flute and drums. "Jale, Cpete Y Pucho" might be my favourite. The deep bass lines and crisp drums are joined by horns. Piano too. Great sound ! The guitar comes in around 6 1/2 minutes and makes some wonderful noise. Horns return and lead to the end. Another highlight is "A Trabajar Y A Acostarse". Man the drumming is so good and we get plenty of marimba and piano. High pitched vocals follow then it settles. I like the flute too. Great song.

"Nadie Quiere Mi Jingle" has these vocal melodies with solid drumming and fat bass lines. Just a gorgeous tune. Guitar after 2 minutes lights it up. Amazing. "El Sueno De Daniel II" is another tune that just impresses me so much. The vocals, horns, marimba and on and on. "Chilean Wiken Again" has some incredible guitar on it and bass later on. Yes the vocals are other-worldly as usual. Check out the bass intro on "No Hay Que Apegarse Al Pasado". The rest is great too including the piano, vocals and guitar. The final track features some passionate and theatrical vocals as she gives it her all. It's almost chamber-like before 6 minutes. Intense ending.

Such an entertaining release that's full of insane instrumental work and some of the best vocals you will hear. A solid 4 stars.

4.5 stars. Any of you FULANO fans out there should really check this band out. Also from Chile and also including FULANO's sax / flute player and amazing female vocalist Arlette Jequier, this band really takes up where FULANO left off. Lots of killer horns, bass, guitar and drumming but the star is the vocalist.The music is a blend of Jazz / Fusion / Avant / Chamber music and probably more.This is a double album and their latest release.

"Dr. Vertical" opens with a great sounding drum / bass section before guitar, horns and organ join in the fun. Vocals before 1 1/2 minutes. Nice acoustic guitar and bass section 3 minutes in then the tempo picks up. Check out the organ,guitar and drums before 5 minutes. Horns follow then it settles. Vocals are back 6 minutes in. "Camino O Oriente" is led by horns early as vocals join in. More vocal expressions here. It settles with piano and drums before 4 minutes. Horns follow. "Porfa, No Me Cambies La Telle" has these relaxed high pitched vocals and a laid back sound. "Mala Lilili Papala Polu" opens with spoken words and weird sounds.The music starts to build before 3 1/2 minutes. Man she can sing. The drumming is fantastic. "Caron" has a Chamber music vibe then vocal melodies arrive after a minute. Piano and horns follow. Cool track. "Miles De Millas Afuera" is so good. Electric piano, drums, bass and more in this melancholic groove. It's kind of dark too. It kicks in at 2 minutes. I just get lost in this one. Amazing ! Vocals don't arrive until before 13 minutes but she makes up for lost time believe me.

Disc two begins with "Mas Alla De Mi" and it reminds me of Chamber music as intricate sounds come and go. Vocals before a minute. How good is this ! "Conti" opens with horns as intricate sounds arrive.Vocals around 2 1/2 minutes come in and lead. Piano, drums and horns take over after 4 minutes. "Secretos En Zapato" is again Chamber music like but certainly not dark like UNIVERS ZERO. "Inspiracion Liquida" opens with drums as horns join in. Nice bass lines on this one too. There's two female vocalists on this one. Excellent sound. "Huele Mi Barbie" is Chamber music again. It sounds like vibes, aboe and clarinet but it's prpobably none of the above. "Trio" is mostly a vocals / drum track. Both are a little out there. "Nadie Nos Conoce Aun" is cool sounding as the vocals,vibes and horns become one.The drums kick in before 2 minutes. "El Pulgar Del Diablo" is the insane closer. Man she lets loose vocally on this one. The guitar is also heavy and in your face. Nice. Horns too on this "take no prisoners" finale to the double album.

Just an incredible recording that will please fans of several genres i'm sure.

This album is something incredibly amazing.

It might (as not) be a concept album, telling a story of a man and his personal troubles, based on the actual chilean society. However, in case of not being a concept album, Entre La Inseguridad y el Ego speaks directly to me, anyway.

The mix of styles is incredibly broad to be on a single album: jazz, RIO, avant-garde (in some sort of Zappa-esque way), reggae, latin rythms, a bit of spanish rythms; also, lots of experimentation, and even hard rock, combined with an excellent instrumentation and perfect vocal arrangements.

It's something impossible to describe how much I liked this album. Reflects the mood of the man of the story in every song: depression, dreams, crazy nights, frustration and fears, all in an incredibly funny and musically beautiful way.

The album starts with two songs that might as well be the low point of the album, but the other songs make up for it.

If you want RIO or experimentation, listen to Jale, Copete y Pucho. If you want a wild, reggae-zappa fusion, listen to Jah! No Quedan Huiros.

But if you want to listen to an excellent debut album, with superb instrumentation and compositions and incredible lyrics, listen to this album, there will be no regrets, I promise.

5 stars.

Debut album of this Chilean band is a ... mixed bag. Album's music is fusion in a sense of mixing all possible musical genres in one. Whenever main components are contemporary jazz, Latin urban folklore, Latin traditional music (rumbas, etc),Latin pop, RIO and classic, you can only imagine, how does it sounds!

In reality, every song is different, and best of them contain some free-jazz improvs, jazz fusion arrangements and quite inspired and technical musicianship. Vocals is Latin urban, and there are some street brass and danceable pieces as well.

Important element in band's music is that RIO atmosphere, but often it works if you know cultural and political situation from the place such music was recorded very well. I perfectly remember how I loved some artists, who played on the streets during last days of Russian occupation of Baltics, but rare foreigner could understand what is great in their music! Some years later I saw the same situation in ex-Yugoslavia. Then I believe for Chilean people, of people from Latin America these songs have much bigger attraction, because they know and feel, what this music is about.

For just casual listener, it is very eclectic album with some great moments and some annoying moments. Looking to musical side only ( as bigger part of listeners do), there are really interesting moments, but the album in whole is a bit of street-oriented musical propaganda. Possibly, nothing is bad in it, but unhappily too often musical component is placed on the second plan there.

In whole this album is non-usual Latin RIO work with some fusion elements for fans of such kind of music. Great product within the genre though.