LOS DELIRIOS DEL MARISCAL

Argentina has produced some fine progrock gems like Banana, Bubu, Esperitu, Pablo El Enterrador and of course Mia. But my favorite band is Crusis, they made two fine albums in the mid-Seventies. Crusis featured Gustavo Montesano (bass/vocals), Anibel Kerpel (keyboards), Pino Marrone (guitar/vocals) and a drummer from Uruguay named Gonzalo Farrugia (from the known progrock band Psiglo). They existed from '74 until '77 and made two records: "Crusis" from '76 and "Los delerios de mariscal" from '77. The music has a typcial Seventies sound with echoes from THE NICE and FOCUS. The music is half instrumental/half with strong Spanish vocals and the emphasis is on the keybaords (organ, string-ensemble, synthesizers, Steinway - and Fender Rhodes piano), the rhythm-section sounds powerful and adventurous. The compositions are strong and dynamic with surprising breaks and the interplay between the electric guitar (often spectacular wah- wah) and keyboards is captivating. On their second album the tracks are longer with more solos and a stronger influence from jazzrock and Dutch masters FOCUS. The titletrack from "Los delirios del mariscal" starts with soaring strings, then a soft and tender electric guitar joins in a slow rhythm. Gradually the guitar becomes more fiery, accompanied by beautiful swelling strings. The fiery and sensitive electric guitar brings Jan Akkerman (Focus) and Joop van Nimwegen (Finch) to my mind. Indeed, two fellow Dutchmen! The long and strongly build up guitarsolo is accompanied by soft waves of organ and a powerful rhythm-section. It's great to hear such a wonderful guitarsolo from Argentina (almost the end of the world) with those obvious echoes from famous Dutch guitarists! Then there's a sudden change of climate with swinging electric piano, a phaser drenched guitar and fiery electric guitar runs, to continue up-tempo with great guitarplay and flashy synthesizer flights. The final part contains a lush atmosphere led by captivating electric guitar and synthesizer interplay.

A VERY PLEASANT 'EPIC' FROM A GREAT, IN MY OPINION, SLIGHTLY UNDERRATED PROGROCK BAND.