ERGO SUM

Ergo Sum's eponymous debut album is a solid example of the kind of power one has come to expect from the Chilean prog scene since the early 90s. It is a pity that this group's discography has been interrupted, since this one and their sophomore effort Mixolidio manage to reflect a special powerful turn on the standards of progressive folk-rock. Let us focus on this album. One of its major assets consists of the band's capability to mix and/or alternate the natural power of hard rock and the delicate approach of folk- fusion, with the resulting amalgam being elaborated in a progressive scheme. The beautiful opener 'Punta de Dama' has a first 2-minute section of pure bucolic serenity that, as we happen to learn latter, is a preparation for the more explicit section thatemerges in full Tull-inspired splendor. While the flute is the protagonist instrument here, Tafarikis knows how to create real sonic energy from his acoustic guitar. From its very initial seconds, 'Ofuscado' seems as if it had been performed by a whole different band, but this impression can sonn be corrected when we pay attention to the instrumentas' interactions. Definitely, this is Ergo Sum at their rockiest. The display of heavy sonorities by the guitar and the rhythm section doesn't seem to block out the playful deliveries provided by the flute. To put it as an allegory, this is what Tryo should sound like if the flutist of Tánger were added as a guest musician. 'Ángel' focuses on exotic moods delivered on a funk-fusion basis: the presence of marimba to augment the flute lines is a very effective detail, while the inclusion of a brief hard-oriented guitar lead serves as an element of variation. 'Power II' is the most explosive Ergo Sum moment in the album, while 'Sol Naciente' (the original tracklist's closer) states a bright exercise on mixing fusion and psychedelic rock in a strong progressive structure. Sandwiched bteween the two is 'Black Jack', a piece that brings a fluid combination of the swings of funky and blues: things get electrifying for a few seconds in a magnificent interlude. If you feel that the first 6 tracks may be too little for what Ergo Sum has to offer to the audience, get the second edition with 2 bonus tracks. These are 'Nuevos Tiempos' and 'Rompecabezas': the former shows the more refined kind of sound that will be developed in Mixolidio, while the latter shows the band's most agressive side, not unlike 'Ofuscado' (including a drum solo). This is a real treat for all true prog lovers that pay real attention to what has been going on in Latin America for the preservation of prog rock - Ergo Sum is a masterful band and this debut album of theirs is nothing short of excellent.

"Mixolidio", ERGO SUM's second album is quite varied (acoustic guitar, saxophone, vibraphone and flute) and divided into three parts. The first contains five songs from '99: swinging, dynamic and alternating (flute, heavy guitar, 2 vibraphone-players), a quite unique sound. The second parts includes 7 live tracks from '99: the emphasis is more on the heavy guitar play. The last section features two bonus tracks from 2001 with alternating and captivating progrock, again an interesting blend of folk and rock with flute, vibraphone and electric guitar. ERGO SUM's sound is not loaded with keyboards but nonetheless they sound very progressive.

The variation of instruments ERGO SUM is using works refreshing. Especially the vibraphone and flute are blending together very well. Of course the flute reminds one of Ian Anderson from JETHRO TULL or FOCUS. If you liked JETHRO TULL or FOCUS and you can also stand the more heavy guitar parts you should definitely check out this album!

3.5 stars really!

I certainly hope more of you progheads out there would listen to this excellent band from Chile. I think it's a modern and mature album that grows after each listening. The use and mixture of instruments is very interesting, you will find influences from various genres such as folkprog, jazzrock, artrock and even progmetal. The use of vibraphone fits the music perfect, and together with flute it melts into a warm harmony. As other reviewers has mentioned IAN ANDERSON from JETHRO TULL must have been an influence. But on most of the track the guitar that can be heavy as well as fusion and acoustic is dominating. SATRIANI, VAI and AL DIMEOLA must have been great influences on the guitarist among others. The lack of vocal is not important; the music itself does the work.. At least you whom are a JETHRO TULL fan (or even a FOCUS fan) should purchase this; I think it definite will appeal to you. An exciting album, I'll give it a strong 4, and I'm looking forward to their next album.

This is a Chilean quintet featuring Sergio Menares (drums, symphonic percussion), Gonzalo Muga (percussion), Sebastian Iglesias (bass), Juan Daniel Rios (flute), Alexandros Tafarikis (acoustic - and electric guitars, composer and production). In '97 they released their eponymous debut-album.

The CD release from their first album contains the six LP-songs and two bonustracks from 2001. Ergo Sum sounds like a progressive mix from folk and metal with lots of changing moods, including swirling fluteplay (like Ian Anderson) and heavy electric guitarplay (in the vein of Vai, Satriana or Malmsteen) with many blistering solos. Ergo Sum's sound is not loaded with keyboards but nonetheless they sound very progressive.

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With this CD Chilean progrock has delivered a fine album, very alternating and with lots of good muscial ideas: swinging with vibraphone and propulsive progmetal in "Nuevos tiempos", many shifting moods with sax, flute and wah-wah guitar in "Laberinto", beautiful twanging guitars and a sensitive electric guitar solo in "Amistad", orchestral keyboards and great interplay between a fiery electric guitar and a vibraphone in "Tonada a la soledad", Steve Vai-like guitar work in "Power IV" and propulsive metal guitar and swirling flute play in "Rompecabeza". The two final bonustracks (live recorded in a studio in April 2001) features the strong Jethro Tull influeces from Ergo Sum with fiery electric guitar and powerful flute but the use of the vibraphone adds a special flavor to their captivating sounds.

THIS DYNAMIC AND VARIED PROG IS RECOMMENDED TO JETHRO TULL FANS!

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Ergo Sum is a prog band from Chile. They sound like Jethro Tull's "Rock Island" period, but with many differences. "Mixolidio" contains five regular studio recordings and seven live recordings that shows all the power and talent of the musicians on stage... From the first part of the album I recommend "Nuevos Tiempos" and "Rosauro", and from the concert of 1999 I love songs like "Power II","Power III", "Sindrome Mixolidio" and "Rompecabeza". The guitars sounds progmetal sometimes (Vai,Blackmore and Satriani's influences), but the almum is very prog with some remarkable folk influences. Very good!!

Ergo Sum's second album shows a definitive improvement from their great debut album. The musician's skills, versatility and rocking energy are effectively displayed in their solid interplays. The repertoire is divided in two sections: a studio one and a live one - it is in this second section that the aforementioned virtues are accomplished to the highest level. The strength is there, rocking in your face, yet there is also an easily noticeable sensibility to create polished and well-articulated musical ideas. While it is clear that the lead guitar is usually the most featured instrument in the mix, the roles of the flute and the tuned percussives serve to add some peculiar colors to the overall 73- 75 era KC influenced prog sound that the guys of Ergo Sum recreate according to their own musical intuition. Other musical sources come from jazz fusion and hard rock, all of them fluidly combined with the main Crimsonian stuff upon a solid rhythm basis: the bassist and whoever plays the drum kit at a particular time (Menares and Muga continuously exchange drumming and percussive duties) are capable of providing a very strong column for the rockiest passages and a more fluid cadence for the softer, jazzier moments. In some aspects, Ergo Sum reminds me of the Argentinean quartet Tánger (another current South American instrumental act worth checking out). Let's take a look at the album's repertoire: tracks 1, 2 & 4 are effective rockers, while the beautiful acoustic guitar-centered nocturne 'Amistad' brings an air of ethereal introspectiveness, and 'Tonada a la Soledad' displays an eerie melancholy combined with a touch of exquisite psychedelic rock. Tracks 6-12 conform the live set, which includes some tracks from the band's debut album. 'Power II' & 'Power III' set an energetic ambience in a catchy manner, until 'Clasicoide' brings a most intricate compositional structure (this is my fave track of the entire album). 'Power IV' brings back the upfront rock stuff with a R'n'B twist; later on, 'Rompecabeza' will set things tighter and stronger, in a quasi-metallic manner. Between the two, tracks 10 & 11 explore jazzier trends. Well, what else can I say: this is one of the best prog recordings to come out from Chile for the last 10 years. and we're talking about a very proficient country in the current prog scene (Tryo, Mar de Robles, Akinetón Retard, AngulArt, Sarax, Entrance. all of them, excellent bands): Ergo Sum's "Mixolidio" is a must for every lover of good contemporary prog rock.

The second CD by Ergo Sum contains a mixture of studio , live and radio tracks. A wonderful CD , containing a mix of styles which ultimately make up a unique Ergo Sum feel.The extensive use of the vibraphone reminds me in parts of King Crimsons Larks Tongues era ,as indeed does the rhythm section on many tracks. The stand ourt tracks are Nuevos Tiempos and a great live version of Rompecabeza. The flute playing is very powerful on this track in particular .Overall ,however the second release by this band does not contain as much flute rock as the first and for that reason alone to my ears is slightly inferior to their debut release. Highly recommended none the less

I recently got to hear this CD. Its not often that I am really moved by a release, but the discovery of this bands music has been one of the highlights of the year. They have managed to produce a unique and eclectic progressive sound. If you like your flute in prog rock , then this band is a must.There are many seemingly diverse influences within this release .....a hint of Ian Anderson in the flute dynamics ( but the music is not similar to Tull). I think it is closer to Solaris in style but without the synths. The guitar player is great , his heavy style complementing this fine instrumental CD. One track even reminds me of the rhythm section from Crimson ( the Starleess and Bible Black era ) All in all this is a magnificient CD and is highly recommended to people who appreciate bands like Solaris , Tull and Grovjobb