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ARCO IRIS

Jazz Rock/Fusion • Argentina


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Arco Iris picture
Arco Iris biography
Founded in El Palomar, Buenos Aires, Argentina in 1968 - Disbanded in 1975 - Reformed in 1977 up until 2003

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.

: : : Philippe Blache, FRANCE : : :

See also: WiKi

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ARCO IRIS discography


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ARCO IRIS top albums (CD, LP, MC, SACD, DVD-A, Digital Media Download)

3.70 | 41 ratings
Arco Iris
1970
3.53 | 23 ratings
Tiempo De Resurrección
1972
4.40 | 65 ratings
Sudamérica - O el regreso a la aurora
1972
3.43 | 25 ratings
Inti Raymi
1973
3.46 | 13 ratings
Ara Tokatlián & Enrique Villegas: Inspiración
1975
4.31 | 74 ratings
Agitor Lucens V
1975
4.27 | 74 ratings
Los Elementales
1977
4.67 | 3 ratings
Amigos
1979
4.67 | 3 ratings
Fiesta
1980
3.81 | 12 ratings
Faisán Azul
1983
3.30 | 11 ratings
Peace Pipes
1987
3.00 | 14 ratings
Peace Will Save The Rainbow
1998
3.64 | 16 ratings
Desde El Jardín
2012

ARCO IRIS Live Albums (CD, LP, MC, SACD, DVD-A, Digital Media Download)

3.26 | 10 ratings
En Vivo Hoy
2000

ARCO IRIS Videos (DVD, Blu-ray, VHS etc)

ARCO IRIS Boxset & Compilations (CD, LP, MC, SACD, DVD-A, Digital Media Download)

3.00 | 7 ratings
Blues de Dana/ Quién es la chica
1970
2.40 | 16 ratings
Suite No. 1
1971
0.00 | 0 ratings
Arco Iris
1976
3.00 | 10 ratings
Mañana Campestre
1979
0.00 | 0 ratings
Cronologia
1992
0.00 | 0 ratings
Cronologia II
1993
0.00 | 0 ratings
Cronologias 1969-1971
2017

ARCO IRIS Official Singles, EPs, Fan Club & Promo (CD, EP/LP, MC, Digital Media Download)

ARCO IRIS Reviews


Showing last 10 reviews only
 Desde El Jardín by ARCO IRIS album cover Studio Album, 2012
3.64 | 16 ratings

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Desde El Jardín
Arco Iris Jazz Rock/Fusion

Review by Mortte

4 stars This is the final album of the awesome Argentinian band, that I think is the greatest group in South-America. Their final gig has been in 2019, so it isn't impossible there will come more albums. I haven't found any information when this was recorded. According to wikipedia their spiritual guide Danais Wynnycka, later Tokatlian, died in 2003. But in this album she's credited to play percussions and effects. So it's possible at least part of the album has recorded earlier. In this album also old member Guillermo Bordarampe joined in four tracks.

'Aurora Del Sur' is very beautiful, but sad instrumental where most of the melodies are played by sax, but there is also great flute playing. In 'Dai Moneda' the album mood changes, it's almost too cheerful to me. But it has also some really great melodies. In 'Blue Jay' direction changes again back to the same as in the first piece. Really touching instrumental track! 'Desde El Jardin' is sounding traditional Argentinian piece with very modern production. Sadness & beauty continues in 'Danais'. 'Nubecita' is again very positive piece and can be too much for the people who hate typical South-American folk music. I like it! 'Desde El Silencio' is really impressive, there you can imagine to be in the middle of Amazon! Next 'Tatunu' continues in a same, really moving direction. In 'Tierras Colorades' we go again into positive moods, but this time music hasn't got so much typical South American feeling, but very relaxing and melodic. What a sad, moving melodies then in 'Para Que Jueque Jo'! Also this piece has some great rhythm changes. In 'La Flor Del Ceibo' you can imagine to lay in some peaceful shore. 'South- American' mood comes back in 'Te Digo Si Te Digo No', where sax leads it to jazz direction. 'Ven Amada Ven' is absolutely profound ending into this album! Can't help tears come into my eyes!

I really love this instrumental album as every other Arco Iris records I have heard! But have to say production is a little bit clean and cold sounding and that was the reason at first this great music didn't achieve me. As the most of Arco Iris albums, this is all the way folk prog, not at all jazz rock / fusion. Well yes, sax is the main instrument playing in a very virtuoso way. Anyway to proglovers I recommend to listen 'Agitor Lucens V' instead of this album, because 'Desde El Jardin' is one of the lightest albums of Arco Iris. These songs can easily put for example in elevators, they really don't irritate in any way. But naturally quality of 'elevator music' would rise a lot! I believe this album work well to the last album just before sleeping time. If this really will be the final Arco Iris album, it is a good swan song from the magnificent band!

 Los Elementales by ARCO IRIS album cover Studio Album, 1977
4.27 | 74 ratings

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Los Elementales
Arco Iris Jazz Rock/Fusion

Review by Soul2Create

5 stars This album has been one of my biggest surprises while searching for new music here on Progarchives. Arco Iris is an argentinian band who displays a good mixture of jazz, psychedelic and symphonic rock with andean influences. On their first two abums you can hear a simpler, less sophisticated music but with growing traces of briliance. It is with their third and sixth albums, 'Sudamerica' and 'Agitor Lucens V' where these guys finally reach the level of the best progressive music, showing this impresive amalgam of styles in full form.

And then is this album. A fusion beast that needs to be pùt among the best albums of history. The musicianship is impressive, original, catchy and eclectic. Imagine the pastoral passages of Premiata Forneria Marconi, and the Canterbury fusion of Bill Bruford, add some Pink Floyd emotional guitar work and sound experimentation and you will have Arco Iris.

Extremely recomended.

 Tiempo De Resurrección by ARCO IRIS album cover Studio Album, 1972
3.53 | 23 ratings

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Tiempo De Resurrección
Arco Iris Jazz Rock/Fusion

Review by Heart of the Matter

4 stars OK, first of all, a time for admissions: this is not the usual kind of stuff that prog ears are used to engulf, at all. What makes it a strong contender in the category, however? Well, unconventional yet extraordinary vocals by Gustavo Santaolalla, imaginative compositions both at musical and lyrical level, idyosincratic and ever changing pace in the rythm section, amazing electric guitar chops & soli, as well as colorful textured sax & ethnic woodwinds by Ara Tokatlian. Just listen for starters 01 Negro Y Blanco and 03 Hombre De Madera, then you tell me.

The album shows also a nice sense of flow and continuity overall, with each track preparing the listener for the following, gaining momentum and rewarding the listening of this record as a whole.

There's in addition some nice acoustic folk moments, for example 02 Vasudeva, and 07 Mañana campestre, two of the best known Arco Iris' songs

 Sudamérica - O el regreso a la aurora by ARCO IRIS album cover Studio Album, 1972
4.40 | 65 ratings

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Sudamérica - O el regreso a la aurora
Arco Iris Jazz Rock/Fusion

Review by TheCrimsonPrince

5 stars Sudamerica is one of the finest releases from this Argentinian jazz outfit and one of the greatest to come out of the jazz fusion genre. It heavily features the saxophone, but throughout the album, the instrument never loses its flavor. Though the album is almost 100 minutes in length, there is hardly a boring or unappealing second ? it amazes me how Arco Iris can have so many different ideas to express and directions to take in just one album.

Packed with short 2-to-3-minute long, folksy instrumentals, this masterpiece could be described as a concept album in a similar vein as The Snow Goose by Camel. These short bridges build up to two epic jazz suites, Obertura and Hombre, my two favorite songs from the album.

Since I do not understand any Spanish, especially the lyrics, I cannot say much on what this album represents, except for the titles. From what the titles translate to, I assume the album describes some sort of spiritual journey that the main character (probably the person singing) experiences. In the first segment of the album, the protagonist learns what he needs to know in order start his journey (is his name Nahuel? is that a different character? who knows) from his "maestro" (teacher). The second segment entails the character's journey along with the pilgrims, whom he follows to "las colinas" (the hills) with his master. Correct me if I am wrong.

Overall, there is not much more to say about Arco Iris' magnum opus, though I wish there were a sequel (unlikely).

 Agitor Lucens V by ARCO IRIS album cover Studio Album, 1975
4.31 | 74 ratings

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Agitor Lucens V
Arco Iris Jazz Rock/Fusion

Review by Warthur
Prog Reviewer

4 stars Arco Iris were, along with Los Jaivas, pioneers of an international scene of South American rock musicians that drew on the heritage of the Andes to inform their work. The scene would blend psychedelic, traditional folk, and prog influences into a volatile mixture, and on this double album the formula turns out to be outright explosive, with some jazz-rock influences creeping in here and there of a Canterbury/Zappa sort of flavour.

The star player here is Gustavo Santaolalla, frontman and main guitarist of the group, though sax-master Ara Tokatlian deserves credit too. As it stands, this would be their last major collaboration under the Arco Iris name; following the completion of this album Gustavo, tiring of the strict demands of the mystical commune Arco Iris lived in (led by their muse Dana), would exit the band. Further departures would follow, and in the long run this would lead to Ara and Dana relocating to the US and taking the group in a New Age/jazz fusion direction.

As it stands, then, Agitor Lucens V finds the original form of Arco Iris at its peak of development.

 Faisán Azul by ARCO IRIS album cover Studio Album, 1983
3.81 | 12 ratings

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Faisán Azul
Arco Iris Jazz Rock/Fusion

Review by Mortte

4 stars This really great Argentinian band made 5 awesome albums in the seventies. After their masterpiece "Agitor Lucens V" their frontman Gustav Santaolalla left and there were also other member changes. In those 5 first albums band played really original progfolk, that had influences from the Argentinian folk music. In the next "Los Elementales" band went more into jazz fusion. In 1978 band members moved into US and released three only cassette albums. This album was the first vinyl release after that moving, but the only old band members in it were singer, flute and brassplayer Ara Tokatlian and singer, percussion and ocarina player Danais Wynnycka.

"Aconcagua (Amanecer)" is almost instrumental, but has some non-lyrical vocals. It starts with pan flute, but soon there comes also electric instruments. I have never been in Argentina, but I can imagine to be in Argentinian forest, when listening this piece. Really cheerful piece! Very traditional Argentinian folk music feeling mixed with jazz continues in next "Chacarera Dance". It also has very personal and glad vocals from Ara Tokatlian and magnificent flute playing! It carries really great way it´s whole ten minutes length. "Danais" has really mystic atmosphere with really powerful vocals from the bands female member. It sounds as the night has come into that Argentinian forest. Same very natural and beautiful atmosphere continues in the title song, where the intensity rises in the end. This piece also carries it´s whole ten minutes. In "Gob" album mood changes into carnivalesque direction. Like there comes some parade in the middle of forest. Again piece has very interesting playing in it´s whole length. "Aconcagua (Atartecer)" is short, funny ending of this intensive album!

Although this album doesn´t fully achieve the greatness of the bands early albums, it´s anyway really strong effort when thinking what kind of music was mostly made in the eighties. All the way this is really balanced and meditative album and I really love it´s acoustic nature. I think this band has put into wrong category in Progarchives. It should have been progfolk, only true jazz fusion album is "Los Elementales" as far as I know. Well, I hope progfolk fans will find this really awesome band! I think it´s little sad this band seemed not found as much international attention as for example Los Jaivas or Os Mutantes. Really it deserves that!

 Peace Pipes by ARCO IRIS album cover Studio Album, 1987
3.30 | 11 ratings

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Peace Pipes
Arco Iris Jazz Rock/Fusion

Review by Mortte

4 stars After great "Faisan Azul"-album Arco Iris didn´t continue making records in Discos CBS for some reason. Probably it didn´t sell enough for the record company. In 1985 they released again cassette "Condor". Two years after that they managed to get into Passport Jazz-label, that was sublabel of Passport Records. It was US distribution company Jem Records, that launched Passport Records in 1973, but they went out of business in the end of 1988. In this album there were partly same songs as in "Condor"-release, but probably they´re new recordings. Again band members had changed, only Ara Tokatlian, Danais Tokatlian and Julio Ledezma have stayed in the band after "Faisan Azul".

Album title song starts with acoustic guitar, that has soft phase effect. Soon comes pan flute. So far sounds great but then comes electric drum that is awful. Fortunately there are also "real" percussions. Anyway I like this very gentle piece. In "Caravan" continues mix of modern and traditional acoustic sounds but this time there isn´t anything irritating. Awesome piece! "I See the Light" starts with synth thunder sounds. Atmosphere changes after that into some kind of "eighties ballad", not bad, but after two really great instrumental pieces this band´s first English sung piece is a little bit wrong place. Also it´s quite mediocre. Luckily in "Camino Del Inca" albums mood changes back to the instrumental goodness.

After almost 20 years existence Arco Iris decided to make a version of "El Condor Pasa" that is tradiotional, very popular South-American song. The most famous is Simon & Garfunkel version. But have to say they made a good version! It starts very slow, band just plays first something else, then flute starts to play melody very quietly. This melody has always moved me! I really like this version, when it´s not becoming powerful even in the end. I think many versions suffers from pathos. "Sunrise Chacarera" is another awesome instrumental with very relaxing atmosphere. In the middle there is interesting brass and percussion part. Finally in "Algarroba" we hear Danas great vocals! I just began to think she hadn´t involved at all in this album. Anyway her entry seems to be lesser than in "Faizan Azul". "Soaring Over the High Planes" is quiet but beautiful ending of this awesome album!

Maybe this album is little bit weaker than "Faisan Azul". That predecessor has more intensity and depth, but on the other hand quiet relaxation of this album really moves me! So I have to give four stars also to "Peace Pipes". Instead of this almost instrumental album I really recommended "Agitor Lucens V" or "Inti-Raymi" to the beginners, but Arco Iris fans this album is highly must! Really it´s sad this band is so underrated and specially these eighties albums seem to be!

 En Vivo Hoy  by ARCO IRIS album cover Live, 2000
3.26 | 10 ratings

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En Vivo Hoy
Arco Iris Jazz Rock/Fusion

Review by TenYearsAfter

3 stars FIRST REVIEW OF THIS ALBUM

To me this interesting formation from Argentina sounds like a kind of answer to famous Chilean prog folk band Los Jaivas, blending folk with progressive ideas. Their story started early 1970 when Arco Iris made impression on a music festival in Buenos Aires, especially with the legendary composition Blues De Dana. Things started to roll and the band delivered a serie of wonderful and acclaimed albums. Arco Iris disbanded in 1975 when a part of the group went to California for a musical adventure (between 1977 and 2003). In 1997 this 'USA Arco Iris line-up' was awarded for their fine contribution to the culture in California during twenty years.

This review is about their live album En Vivo Hoy from 2000, it contains tracks from their album Peace Pipes (1987) and Peace Will Save The Rainbow (1998), and the abovementioned Blues De Dana as an 'encore'. Arco Iris delivers a New Age-like blend of prog and folk, it sounds wonderful and very pleasant with a wide range of (mainly acoustic) instruments: lots of percussion (conga, bongo and djembe), flute, saxophone, acoustic guitar and many flutes, including the panflute. In comparison with the studio-albums Arco Iris sounds more powerful, dynamic and also progressive on stage, due the extended live versions featuring more shifting moods and soli.

This is wonderful melodic and harmonic, often mellow New Agen inspired prog folk.

My rating: 3,5 star.

 Agitor Lucens V by ARCO IRIS album cover Studio Album, 1975
4.31 | 74 ratings

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Agitor Lucens V
Arco Iris Jazz Rock/Fusion

Review by Mellotron Storm
Prog Reviewer

4 stars ARCO IRIS were a band from Argentina who released at least three really good albums in the seventies including this double concept album from 1974. The music here is certainly varied with Jazz, Psychedelic, Symphonic and Folk being touched on. Unfortunately my copy isn't legit which I didn't know when I picked it up from an on-line vendor. Apparently this hasn't been released on cd and the recording I have features the track listing from the vinyl re-issue from 1975 but they somehow cut out about 15 minutes of music. So I'm not really impressed with how unprofessional my issue is but the music is another story.

"La Divina Madre" has some powerful organ to start as the guitar begins to solo tastefully over top. It calms right down after 2 1/2 minutes as the organ stops but it will return late. "La Morada De Los Dioses" has this relaxed beat with strummed guitar and laid back vocals which are in Spanish(and throughout this recording). I really like this song. "En Las Cumbres" is really something with that atmosphere, bass and picked guitar. The vocal melodies 2 minutes in are deep and add so much here. Percussion too. "Bas Bus" is a short uptempo horn led piece. "Si El Senor" continues with the horn driven music but we get vocals this time. Harmonica to the fore then vocal melodies before the sax and vocals return. "Bas Bus" is a reprise with some huge bass lines this time. "Aurora Boreal" is a folky track with reserved vocals. "Las Luces Eteras" is led by vocals and organ with some harmonies as well. Relaxed sax after 3 minutes during the instrumental section that will continue for over 10 minutes! Check out the guitar solo that seems to never end even when you think it has(haha). It starts 7 1/2 minutes in and man he lights it up at times. So good! "El Regreso Del Pajaro Dorado" is so impressive with the organ and guitar taking the spotlight.

"La Nave Madre" has a good beat with prominent bass as the flute starts to play over top. Some flashy keyboards will come and go as themes are repeated. "El Arcangel Miguel" has male vocal melodies in a relaxed and sparse soundscape. Some haunting vocal melodies follow which is so cool. It brightens though late to end it with multi-vocal melodies. "Agitor" is a slow paced piece with floating organ, cymbals, picked guitar and more. "Sendero De Marcahuasi" has what sounds like mandolin, bass and a beat as the vocals join in. Flute a minute in as the vocals stop but they return as contrasts continue. Sax then leads and it turns dissonant at times. Nice. I'm not sure about the song titles of the last three songs on my copy but the next song features a dark mood with bass, atmosphere and more. Vocals before a minute as it brightens some and the contrasts will continue. Great track! The next tune has upfront drumming and plenty of guitar before the tempo picks up 1 1/2 minutes in. The synths that follow are so uplifting. The final tune is really dominated at times by the sax and it does get dissonant. Some laughter and crazy vocal expressions 5 minutes in.

An album I really enjoy despite the issues I have with my copy. Some consistently good music that brought early FLOYD to mind more than anyone else, although as I mentioned earlier the music is quite varied.

 Sudamérica - O el regreso a la aurora by ARCO IRIS album cover Studio Album, 1972
4.40 | 65 ratings

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Sudamérica - O el regreso a la aurora
Arco Iris Jazz Rock/Fusion

Review by Magnum Vaeltaja
Special Collaborator Honorary Collaborator

5 stars How an album this incredible can be so largely under the radar on this site is a bit perplexing. What Arco Iris produced with this album is nothing short of astounding; 100 minutes of intricately woven, diverse, moving music that shapes a cohesive and adventurous narrative, and in 1972 in Argentina, no less!

"Sudamerica" is a rock opera telling the mythological tale of a young man named Nahuel, who is commissioned by divinity to travel around the continent with various companions, and all of the adventures that ensue. But what makes the album so effective is that, unlike many of the rock operas and concept albums being made back in the UK at the time, the album doesn't lose any of its power when you don't follow the lyrics. As a non-Spanish speaker, all that I know about the narrative comes from reading synopses online. What I do know, though, is that this album is every bit of an instrumental marvel as it is a lyrical one. An eclectic brew of jazz, psychedelic rock, Andean folk and other ethnic South American musical styles, "Sudamerica" offers a unique, transporting listening experience that stays fresh, dynamic, engaging and vibrant the whole way through to the final notes.

Certainly an album to be on the lookout for, a timeless, progressive gem. The fact that this kind of album, so very unique and full of identity, exists is what makes me love prog. 5 stars.

Thanks to Philippe Blache for the artist addition. and to Quinino for the last updates

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