ARREBOL

The last studio album from "Los Jaivas" to date is not the worst one of their career. But not the best one either. It holds some good compositions like the title track for instance which is also the most prog oriented.

Even if a good guitar break is a pleasant surprise during "Milonga Carcelaria" the finale is pretty difficult to bear. One of the weakest song here is "Todos Americanos" which is just a pure Andean folk song. The childish "Por Los Niños Del Mundo" is another one of these. Press next.

The mood is fully folkish for most of this album. Prog fans will hardly find any relation with prog music in here. So, depending on where your taste is, you will love this album or feel bored while listening to it. I belong more to the latter category (throughout their whole work I must say).

At times, some good electric guitar moments will highlight this album. They are mostly blended into their native music, though. "Chile" is a good example. Nice fluting adds another dimension to it, but I guess that South Americans might be more receptive as I am about it. Vámonos guajira.

The last five tracks sound like they were recorded during a cocktail party and include some audience atmosphere (mainly conversations and clinking glasses). Nothing to write home about.

The band will release several albums called "Voragine" (I through V) after the decease of Gato Alquinta. These albums being some sort of compilation works of their early days (68 through 71). The band is extremely popular in their home country. The sad deaths of several of their members during their career (remember, they started it some forty years ago) give them a huge emotional signification.

I rate this album with two stars. Los Jaivas music doesn't speak to me really.