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RAÍCES

Govea

Symphonic Prog


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Govea Raíces album cover
3.58 | 17 ratings | 3 reviews | 6% 5 stars

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Studio Album, released in 2011

Songs / Tracks Listing

1. En busca de la raíz (7:41)
2. Intersecciones (6:58)
3. Retablo medieval (9:34)
4. Formas primordiales (4:10)
5. Neocórtex (4:56)
6. Ciclo de vida y muerte (6:40)
7. Duelo: I. Pérdida; II. Depresión y Furia; III. Evocación (8:41)

Total time: 48:40

Line-up / Musicians

- Salvador Govea / keyboards
- Luis Arturo Guerrero / bass
- Pedro Galindo / drums

Releases information

CD self-released (2011, Mexico)

Thanks to memowakeman for the addition
and to Quinino for the last updates
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GOVEA Raíces ratings distribution


3.58
(17 ratings)
Essential: a masterpiece of progressive rock music(6%)
6%
Excellent addition to any prog rock music collection(41%)
41%
Good, but non-essential (35%)
35%
Collectors/fans only (12%)
12%
Poor. Only for completionists (6%)
6%

GOVEA Raíces reviews


Showing all collaborators reviews and last reviews preview | Show all reviews/ratings

Collaborators/Experts Reviews

Review by memowakeman
SPECIAL COLLABORATOR Honorary Collaborator
4 stars Now, the second!

Govea is a Mexican trio composed by trained and talented musicians, who I've been following lately; the reasons are simple: their music is great. First was their debut album 'Danza Urbana' the one that caught my attention with its great compositions inspired by some old monsters such as ELP, but with an original and own sound. Now, after two years they released their second album, with a change in the lineup because drummer Baldovinos left the band, but now he is wonderfully replaced by Pedro Galindo.

This new album is entitled 'Ra'ces', and I had the luck of witnessing it in its entirety (well, almost) in a concert three weeks ago, and believe me, Govea is a great band. So this new baby is composed by seven compositions that make a total time of 47 minutes, in which you will listen to instrumental music made by a keyboard-bass-drums combo. If you want a quick label, then I say Govea plays symphonic prog, with some jazz fusion hints.

The album opens with 'En busca de la ra'z', which starts fast with keyboards as leader, but with an excellent musicianship. The symphonic reminiscences are obvious, but as I mentioned above, we can also listen to some jazzy touches. The song progresses little by little, until at minute two and a half there is a change, an atmospheric synth appears as background while bass and keys play the same notes; this passage is pretty good, with a kind of drama film feeling. Later, the song keeps developing and creating different inner passages.

The name of 'Intersecciones' may sound known, because in their debut album it was included, but this time this is an alternative version. It starts with repetitive bass and keys, while the drummer shows off himself and plays different figures, simulating a solo. After almost three minutes of this kind of jam, we could say that the song actually starts. This song has a great melody, a wonderful structure that allows the three musicians to being noticed by their talent.

'Retablo Medieval' is a movement from 'Concertino para piano y orquesta', a composition by mexican musician Miguel Bernal Jimenez, and yes, in their debut album Govea also took a movement from this same piece. This time they give us almost ten minutes of this wonderful adaptation. Their classical music roots can be appreciated here, along with that clear symphonic sound, created mainly by keyboards. The rhythm is great, catching the listener's attention since the first moments and creating a vertiginous sound. Three minutes later the song slows down and the band seems to be preparing something new and exciting, and that is a long keyboard solo which is not really bombastic, but that maintains the attention. There is a stop, and then an organ appears for some seconds, only to open the gates to the song's first and original sound. Before the eighth minute, drums and keys disappear and only the bass remains. This is a wonderful piece!

'Formas Primordiales' is the shortest track of the album. A dynamic track with an addictive sound, once again, led by keyboards, full of keyboards, actually. The next track is entitled 'Neoc'rtex' and it is a clear example of why the word fusion works good for Govea. The symphonic prog element does not really exist here, instead, a jazzy and experimental sound with an awesome bass, great percussion and cool keyboards appears. This may be the song that does not really sound like previous Govea tracks sound (with previous, I also include the ones from the debut); and this may also be one of my favorites.

'Ciclo de vida y muerte' is a mid-tempo track with a constant rhythm which allows the band creating several figures with their respective instruments, and though there are apparently keyboard solos, they don't really stands apart of the band, I mean, the three have the same importance, which makes the music stronger. And the album finishes with 'Duelo', which is divided in three parts (P'rdida; Depresi'n y Furia; Evocaci'n). In this song we can once again appreciate the exquisiteness of the band, their wonderful skills as composers and performers. I love the structure, its changes in mood and tempo, the balance and the harmonies. My favorite part is the last one, before reaching the seventh minute when bass appears and the music flows little by little, until it fades out.

Govea has not let me down so far, their music is great and a clear example that here in Mexico we have high-quality prog rock, now I invite you, who are reading me, to buy their music, you will not regret.

Enjoy it!

Review by Ivan_Melgar_M
SPECIAL COLLABORATOR Honorary Collaborator
4 stars Just before I made a trip outside Lima, my good friend Salvador Govea sent me the second album of the excellent Mexican Power Trio GOVEA called "Raíces" (Roots), so I didn't had the chance to review it immediately, but looking at the bright side, I had the opportunity to listen it several times and capture better the essence of the release in order to write a more informed review.

In first place I must say that unexpectedly the retirement of the ICONOCLASTA legend Victor Baldovinos from the drums, hasn't affected the sound of the band, because Pedro Galindo has managed in a short period of time to be one with the band, specially being both extremely talented percussionists.

The album is opened by "En Busca de la Raiz" (In Search of the Root), a perfect name for a fantastic musical piece, because that's exactly what the band is making. Even when they keep the clear ELP influence, the addition of Mexican ethnic roots is more evident than in the previous album, creating a more original and unique sound. The use of violin (synthesized I guess) gives a special flavor to the music.

The second track "Intersecciones" (Intersections) is an extended version of the track that appeared in their first album DANZA URBANA. If there was something that didn't convinced me of this piece in their debut album was the lack of Rock, and now with the addition of the frenetic drums by Pedro Galindo, it's a different situation. It's great to see a band not afraid to re-visit old works and try to make them even better.

"Retablo Medieval" (Medieval Altar Ornament) originally from the master of Mexican Baroque Miguel Bernal Jimenez, is what any proghead could expect. After a vibrant rhythm section intro where Luis Arturo Guerrero really proves us he's a bass virtuoso, the weight of the track falls mostly in Salvador Govea, who creates some sort of encounter between the sacred and the pagan, mixing religious music with Mexican native touches and a bit of Keith Emerson inspired Moog, the Church organ sections give me goosebumps.

"Formas Primordiales" (Primordial Forms), is mostly a keyboard track, but again Gustavo Galindo creates a very Rock oriented sound to blend with the almost classical organ, again a delightful blend of sounds, styles and moods. Then comes "Neocórtex" that took me by surprise, for the first time in GOVEA history, the band starts to flirt with Electronic Prog, playing at a speed I never heard before. Not my favorite title, but the drumming is outstanding.

"Ciclo de Vida y Muerte" (Life and Death Cycle) shows us that the bad is becoming more and more versatile as they advance in their career, the sound is a nice fusion between Melodic Moog and organ with a jazzy bass and drums that connects two universes that normally exist on different planes without contact, again a wonderful work.

"Raíces" ends with "Duelo" (Mourning) a mini-epic about the stages of pain, and it's divided in three parts "Pérdida" (Loss), Defresión y Furia (Depression and Fury) and Evocación (Evocation), probably the strongest track on the album, where the band demonstrates all their capacity and skills, touching a sensitive issue without the needed of words.

It's obvious that GOVEA has progressed since their debut, from a power trio with strong ELP reminiscences, to a band with a unique sound that blends several styles and genres. I don't know what's coming next, but I'm impatient to listen whatever they decide to give us their following release.

Getting closer to the status of masterpiece, if it was possible I'd give them 4.5 stars, but our system doesn't allow fractions, so I have to go with 4 solid stars,.

Review by b_olariu
PROG REVIEWER
3 stars again 3.5 stars

Second offer by this excellent mexican band named Govea, issued last year 2011 named Raices meaning Roots. From the superb cover art , again, to the music Govea keeping the flag high in symphonic prog with this time I think a more jazzier aproach in places then on first album. The music is almost on same coordonates as on Danza urbana, but this time Salvador Govea infuses some more jazzy parts, combined with eclectic side of symphinic prog the result is a pretty intresting one. Lots of keyboard layers, diversity is at home here, even some pulsating bass lines and quite complex specially on Neocórtex, very jazzy in aproch, great in the end. Every piece is a winner to my ears, but I don't think overall is a groundbreaking release, ok is very well done and performed , is even original in some parts, but only 3.5 stars again for Raices. A truly inventive band in today prog rock scene, that desearves a far better recognition world wide, both albums worth to be investigated for sure by any serious listner.

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