Plus for Heavy-Prog

In 1976, after the disbanding of ESCARCHA, vocalist Saul Blanch formed another hard rock outfit increasing the Zepp influence, that is the foursome PLUS, including Julio Saez Guitar & Vocals, Hugo Racca Bass & Vocals, and Horacio "Cacho" Darías Drums. By then, excepting EL RELOJ or VOX DEI, there was hardly another heavy rock act left in Argentina.
Their debut album No Pisar el Infinito saw the light of day in 1976, under the label TK. Their style was deemed as raw and visceral, and one of that year revelations in the local scene.
They signed a contract with RCA for the sophomore, titled simply Plus, but widely known as Melancólica Muchacha among fans, after the eleven minutes track. Meticulously produced, this 1978 album includes guests appearances by Celeste Carballo in vocal harmonies and classically trained violinist Fernando Suárez Paz, from Astor Piazzolla's quintet. By the end of the year, guitarist Julio Saenz left, being replaced by León Vanella and the band turned to a more basic approach with their third and last LP, Escuela de Rock and Roll, in 1981, deemed as rhythm and blues tinged. Soon after that, they disbanded for good.
Julio Saez, Hugo Racca and Cacho D'arias went to join DR. SILVA, and Saul Blanch, became lead singer with RATA BLANCA, only for their 1988 debut. Hugo Racca released a solo effort and passed away in 1998, whilst Julio Saez became manager and guitarist for Indio Solari. In 2016 passed away Cacho Darias.


Their 2nd album, Plus (1978)




Edited by Heart of the Matter - December 30 2023 at 14:04

heavy prog definitely 

Hrychu wrote: I'd put it in the "prog blues" category if there was such a thing on PA.

Hrychu wrote: Cristi wrote: Hrychu wrote: I'd put it in the "prog blues" category if there was such a thing on PA. Heavy-prog is progressive hard rock, hard rock had its roots in blues, so...  And blues had it roots in proto-blues and so on and so on. If you're gonna label stuff that way, then you'd realize Robert Leroy Johnson is in fact a Heavy Prog artist. :P And also, that Leoš Janáček (ELP) or I dunno, even Bach (Genesis) should be added to Symphonic Prog. ;)

Edited by Cristi - December 30 2023 at 12:57

Following Saperlipopette! and Cristi opinions, I'm renaming to Heavy-Prog. "Progressive Hard Rock" sounds like a neat description of this music to me, so, let's get on with that.

^

I am going to sent this to the team, see if anyone hear some prog rock here.