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PSIGLO

Heavy Prog • Uruguay


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Psiglo biography
Hailing from Uruguay, PSIGLO were formed in 1968 by Luis Cesio, Jorge García Banegas, César Rechac, Julio Dallier and Carmelo Albano. Jorge proposed the name "Psiglo" by joining the word "siglo"(century) with the first letter of psychedelic, because he said they were hanging around in the psychedelic era.

With an above average production level, their albums were indisputably strong, supported by the Vincent Crane/Jon Lord style of Hammond organ and the decisive Deep Purple guitar style. In 1973, with Ruben Melogno on the vocal duties, Gonzalo Farrugia on the drums, Luis Cesio on the guitar, César Rechac on the bass and Jorge García on the keyboards, PSIGLO managed to release their debut, "Ideación", and achieve the first 'gold' status ever in Uruguay rock history. Then they started enjoying a sort of "stardom", though it wouldn't last long, since the lyrics started to have more of a political slant against the state of affairs in Uruguay - which delayed the release of their second and last album, "Psiglo II", issued in 1981.

"Psiglo II" showed a more mature band, showing their most Progressive efforts, with uich line-up changes as César Rechac moving to guitars and Gustavo Mamut Muñoz replacing Cesar on bass. "Psiglo II", however, was not as successful as "Ideación" had been. Moreover, the musicians had already chosen to leave the country following the military coup of June 1973. Gonzalo Farrugia would later join Argentine Prog band CRUCIS, Jorge García Banegas would join ASFALTO from Spain, and Hermes Calabria would join BARON ROJO, also from Spain.

PSIGLO are one of the most important bands in the history of South American rock, and an interesting example of early Heavy Prog.

Cacho (Pablo) - January 2009

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PSIGLO discography


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

3.09 | 23 ratings
Ideación
1973
3.42 | 17 ratings
II
1981
3.00 | 1 ratings
Psiglo III - Siglo Iberico
2002

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

PSIGLO Videos (DVD, Blu-ray, VHS etc)

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

3.56 | 9 ratings
Ideacion & II
1973

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

5.00 | 2 ratings
No Pregunten Porqué
1972
4.00 | 1 ratings
Cambiarás al hombre
1972
5.00 | 1 ratings
En un lugar un niño
1972

PSIGLO Reviews


Showing last 10 reviews only
 Ideación by PSIGLO album cover Studio Album, 1973
3.09 | 23 ratings

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Ideación
Psiglo Heavy Prog

Review by siLLy puPPy
Special Collaborator PSIKE, JRF/Canterbury, P Metal, Eclectic

3 stars While neighboring Argentina is perhaps the best known South American nation for 70s prog rock, poor little Uruguay often gets completely overlooked given its proximity to the megapolis city of Buenos Aires but this small but proud nation produced a few interesting acts in its own right albeit with only a handful of examples. Along with Armando Tirelli, Totem and Taiguara was a band from the capital city of Montevideo called PSIGLIO that was around from 1970 to 1975 but only released one album during those years titled IDEACIÓN although many more tracks were recorded and put out much later as archival releases. Despite its short existence, this band has been deemed one of the most important Latin heavy prog rock bands of the 70s and one of the best that emerged from Uruguay.

The band was formed by five friends: César Rechac (bass), Luis Cesio (guitar), Jorge García Banegas (keyboards), Carmelo Albano (drums) and Julio Dallier (vocals) however Albano was replaced by Gonzalo Farrugia before the band recoded their debut album. The moniker comes from the word for "century" = "siglo" and the P was added for stylistic effect. As was customary during those days, bands from neighboring nations gigged in Buenos Aires and PSIGLO played with fellow countrymen Totem at the Barock where they developed enough fanbase to warrant the release of two singles "Gente Sin Camino" and "No Pregunten Por Qué" in 1972 which led to the band's first full-length album IDEACIÓN (Ideation = to form an idea of, imagine or conceive) released on the Clave label in Uruguay. The knotty head dress that spells out the band's name on the cover art pretty much symbolizes what to expect on this one.

IDEACIÓN while hosting some interesting moments unfortunately suffers from deciding exactly what it wants to be. The first three tracks are fairly standard bluesy hard rock with prog touches from the era that sound a tad dated for this late year of 1973 when the prog scene was at its pinnacle but starting with "Vuela A Mi Glaxia" things start getting wild with freaky keyboard runs and a much more ambitious heavy rock bombast very reminiscent of early Uriah Heep but for the most part the band plays it safe with blues rock oriented tunes that add folk and progressive elements to elevate it beyond the mere status of hard rock. The longest track is "Es Inútil" that is just shy of the nine minute mark and runs the gamut of the most psychedelic tripped out space rock to hard rock and even a segment of simple blues rock and actually sounds like a bunch of separate tracks just running into each other rather than a single concept with variations.

On the original album the track "Piensa Y Lucha" ends the album sounding again like an organ drenched Spanish language of Uriah Heep with hard driving guitar riffs and even some soloing guitar as well as a major drum shebang. The 1999 CD reissue on Sondor has the extra track "Gente Sin Camino" along with a couple of alternative versions of "En Un Lugar un Niño" and "Vuela Mi Galaxia," the former of which is good enough that it should have replaced one of the less interesting tracks on the original album. It's a nice psychedelic rock track with a groovy bass and organ soaked heavy psych track with some soulful vocals. This album is pretty hit and miss but for the most part it's a really good album with a few duds that bring it down a few notches. The band had the chops to crank out some interesting experiments but was tamping down the mojo to seek a crossover appeal. As it stands this is a very good example of early Uruguayan prog that sounds distinct from neighboring Argentina but the awkwardness of how the album flows makes it sound stilted.

3.5 but rounded down

 II by PSIGLO album cover Studio Album, 1981
3.42 | 17 ratings

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II
Psiglo Heavy Prog

Review by apps79
Special Collaborator Honorary Collaborator

3 stars 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.

 Ideación by PSIGLO album cover Studio Album, 1973
3.09 | 23 ratings

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Ideación
Psiglo Heavy Prog

Review by Progfan97402
Prog Reviewer

4 stars I first heard of Psiglo back in 2004 when I bought Crucis' Cronologia (in which a later version was spelled Kronologia, which actually packages both their albums on one disc) and then learned online that drummer Gonzalo Farrugia was in Psiglo, which was a Uruguayan band, who released two albums, Ideacion in 1973, and Psiglo II which was recorded in 1974 but not released until 1981 due to the military dictatorship.

Psiglo is quite a bit different from Crucis, so if you like Crucis, you might not necessarily like Psiglo. This is more of a heavy rock album with prog, psych, and even the occasional blues overtones. I never expected full-on Yes or Genesis type sophistication, or it to resemble Crucis, for that matter, and I find it rather enjoyable. It's like a South American take on groups like Deep Purple or Uriah Heep, I even get reminded a tad of early Birth Control (Hoodoo Man-era), There are some calmer numbers too that give me an almost Italian vibe. I realize this kind of music isn't to every proghead's liking, and most people look towards their second album as more to their liking (I hadn't heard that one yet, but I need to). The album consists of your typical rock instrumentation, plus Hammond organ and even some synth. Vocals are in Spanish.

I was lucky to get the original pressing on the Clave label. Hans Pokora, an Austrian who published a series of Record Collector Dreams books gives a rarity rating to each title featured in his books a one * to six ****** disc rating, and for this particular title, he gives four **** discs. So it's truly very hard to come by. If you happen to own the Sondor pressing, it's obviously a reissue as it gives a 1984 copyright, while the Clave original gives a 1973 copyright. It probably would not have been so ungodly rare if it didn't coincide with a military coup (but I'm sure even so it would still be hard to find outside of Uruguay, as you don't find records from that country outside of Uruguay, with the probable exception of Argentina).

Given this is the first thing I ever own from Uruguay, this is actually quite good. Certainly another great one from Latin America.

 II by PSIGLO album cover Studio Album, 1981
3.42 | 17 ratings

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II
Psiglo Heavy Prog

Review by RodrigoDeLeon

4 stars 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.

 Ideación by PSIGLO album cover Studio Album, 1973
3.09 | 23 ratings

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Ideación
Psiglo Heavy Prog

Review by Ivan_Melgar_M
Special Collaborator Honorary Collaborator

2 stars If I had to describe PSIGLO'S good debut, I would say it's an album out of it's time and out of place in Prog Archives.

South America had a fertile Proto Prog and psyche scenario from the mid/late 60's to the early 70's, but PSIGLO reached the market 4 or 5 years too late, yes they use Hammond, have some interesting late Psyche touches, but IMO they were never in the level of the real monsters of the region as EL RELOJ in Argentina or TRAFFIC SOUND in Perú, bands that were popular not only in their countries but in most of the region.

And to make it worst, PSIGLO was playing some sort of 60's Rock, in 1972, so they were miles behind the rest of the bands of the sub-continent.

In general terms, they are influenced by bands as Grand Funk Railroad, a bit of Uriah Heep,and even some elements of a local form of POP called Go Go Español that was very popular in Latin America in the late 60's.

But this is not negative, they were a good band with excellent organ work and a solid formation, but they were miles behind almost everybody, while other countries had already a Progressive Rock scenario, they were in some sort of late Proto Prog.

Some songs are interesting though, for example the soft Catalina has not only an excellent keyboard but a very nice violin section that enhances the music that otherwise would be too simple for a Prog site.

Vuela a mi Galaxia is another good track clearly inspired in URIAH HEEP; the chorus and chorus screams in the style of David Byron are more than evident, but the lead vocals remind me of one of the Spanish Rock Icons Miguel Rios, very strong material.

No Pregunten Por Que has a very interesting percussion that creates a fusion with Afro Latin sounds and very pleasant chorus, again nothing spectacular but quite nice.

Gente sin Camino starts with an interesting and clearly psychedelic introduction of Hammond and drums, and leads to a vocal passage that flows gently until the first instrumental break where a guitar a la Santana breaks the monotony of most of the album.

But the best track is left for the end Vuela a mi Galaxia 2 is an excellent song in which the organ introduction and later development of the song reminds of early Uriah Heep, with a very strong drumming and competent vocals in Spanish, excellent song.

The rest of the tracks are more or less in the same vein, between Grand Funk, Uriah Heep and some late Psyche, not recommended for the Proghead who expects much more of a band of the 70's, probably if they had released this stuff in the 60's, the band would be recognized as one of the Proto Prog icons of South America, but they are just too naive for the 70's

If this was a General Rock site, I would probably go with 3 or 3.5 stars, but for Prog Archives and according to teh guidelines, I'll go with 2 stars......But this doesn't mean the album is bad, maybe too simple and out of time, even when a piece of candy for collectors of Latin American Proto Prog.

 Ideación by PSIGLO album cover Studio Album, 1973
3.09 | 23 ratings

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Ideación
Psiglo Heavy Prog

Review by The Quiet One
Prog Reviewer

3 stars Psiglo with this album became a quite famous outfit for Uruguay, as well as reaching Argentina, as a Heavy Rock band which was in the style of early Deep Purple and Uriah Heep(definitely not in the style of success). With the notable Hammond use, as well as heavy guitar riffs and solos, which is definitely what made them similar to the 2 bands mentioned before, though this band lacked much of their power, while certainly heavy, it's cold with a big lack of energy.

Ideacion brings you from the heavy organ-driven En Un Lugar un Niño and the often compared to Easy Livin' by Uriah Heep, Vuela a Mi Galaxia, which was originally intended to be a tribute to Uriah Heep as well as to Deep Purple, to other heavy numbers featuring some dated-Moog solos. Ideacion also brings soft tunes like the acoustic, candombe-style percussion, with No Pregunten Porque and the melancholic Catalina featuring a string quartet, to really give you such melancholic feel. Ideacion also gives you the always expected(from Heavy Rock bands of the time) a semi-prog blues song with Es Inutil, with a bit of King Crimson(odd sax), but mainly Uriah Heep(Lucy Blues). Psiglo's debut ends up with another heavy tune, mainly organ-driven, but like many other debuts from Prog/Rock bands, it features a decent drum solo, which it isn't a big deal.

Certainly Ideacion was one of a kind in South-America, bringing a heavy style heard only from UK or U.S bands, with a ass-kicking guitar/organ delivery, but due to production, Psiglo couldn't make it to the 00's as energetic as they used to be. Still Ideacion is worth-while for those fans of heavy Organ, as well as bands in the style, of already mentioned, Deep Purple and Uriah Heep, definitely not as powerful nor creative.

Ideacion stands up as a decent hard rock release, though being actually for collectors of ''rare''(mainly for the foreigners) hard rock/prog albums. A 3 star album, with the definition of a 2 star.

Thanks to raff for the artist addition.

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