RAYUELA

Man there were a ton of Jazz Rock albums released in the late seventies, but what makes this one a little different are the Symphonic and Folk references. Of course those Spanish male vocals don't hurt bringing Symphonic and even RPI to mind. The beautiful cover art hints at Symphonic as well. Besides the usual instruments we get clavinet, flute, synths, synth(string ensemble), organ, electric piano, bells, congas and sax. This is a gorgeous album with some some incredible playing on it. The bass really stands out which I love and the electric piano impresses but I could go on and on about each member of the band.

"La Casa Del Hombre" hits the ground running with sax out front until the vocals arrive and it's the vocals or sax usually leading the way on this one. I like the bass and organ that jump in around a minute then the guitar arrives as the sax leads here. Vocals are back as themes are repeated. A really enjoyable opener. "Los Ultimos Grillos" opens with some really good acoustic guitar melodies as the vocals arrive just before a minute. Backing vocals too. Synths before 2 minutes as the vocals step aside. Nice bass here then the vocals return with flute this time before 3 minutes. This reminds me so much of RPI. A pastoral track that is beautifully played.

"Aereo" is a top three for me. Some energy here and I like the depth of sound along with how punchy it is. The sax comes in over top but I love that rhythm section. Synths a minute in replace the sax but again the bass and drums shine here. The sax is back before 2 minutes then guitar as they trade off. Love the calm that arrives around 3 minutes then it builds with electric piano and drums standing out. Nice. Love the drum work and the sax is back late.

"Vientos De La Calma" opens with drums and harmonica as laid back vocals join in. We get bass and electric piano as well. "Acaso Tu Crees" is next and it's a top three. Pulsating keys and in your face bass to start. What a fantastic sound! The drums kick in and the tempo picks up some. Guitar to the fore after a minute and it picks up again before 3 1/2 minutes as that opening soundscape is back as themes are repeated. Check out the instrumental work after 6 minutes. So good!

"Sexo Y Dinero" is uptempo along with being bright and uplifting. The bass, synths, electric piano and drums impress here. The sax then kicks in. Love that bass after 3 1/2 minutes. Too much! "Vendre Con El Tiempo" ends it and it begins with some beautiful piano melodies before a calm with atmosphere takes over 1 1/2 minutes in. It's almost silent 2 minutes in then the atmosphere and guitar expressions come to the fore. A beat and bass take over. Reserved vocals 4 minutes in as the bass, a beat and electric piano help out. It's almost ballad-like here. Sax before 5 minutes then that string ensemble arrives creating atmosphere. More great sax and bass before the guitar starts to solo before 7 minutes.

A really solid album where the Symphonic elements really cause it to rise above many of the Jazz Rock albums at this time, and there's no Funk here either.