MAMALLUCA - OBRAS SINFÓNICAS VOL. 1

"Mamalluca" has a special meaning in the history of Los Jaivas, being a concept-album based on a poem book written by the band's second keyboardist Eduardo Parra about man's appreciation of the cosmos around him (initially motivated by some poems by Vileta Parra around a similar subject). This is Los Jaivas' first full recording with an orchestral back-up... although it would be more fair to say the the walls of sound created by the strings, woodwinds and reeds are powerful partners of the band. This is also the album in which teh band decided to return on full swing to their artsy folk rock roots, which in turn signifies a return to their progressive oriented aspect. The album's title is the name of a Chilean valley in which there's an astronomic scientific building full of telecopes and other devices to watch the stars and stuff - a proper specific place that incarnates mankind's universa struggle to discover and admire the beauties of the universe. In this album, the academic colors brough in by the orchestra and choir are really abundant (not unlike Renaissance's or Procol Harum's live albums), and that really helps to enhance the inherent magnificence of the materialm but of course, the main textures (or should I say, exclusive?) come from South American folklore. The weird yet natural beauty resulting from this combination between the candor of folk and the splendor of symphonic rock gives birth to a most amazing farewell to the 90s from Los Jaivas. The most predominant ambience is one of ethereal emotion and spiritual evocation, and this works particularly fine in the most explicitly hypnotic passages - three examples are 'Uva Madura', 'Interludio', 'Elqui', in which you can tell that the academic visions of Grieg and Prokofiev can be compatible with Andean folk. 'Chaski' is a brief yet patently intense ad libitum instrumental in which the intrepid pace set by drummer Juanita Parra is magically accompanied by random notes on strings, lead guitar and Andean woodwinds: the instruments portray the way things seem to fly while the oral messenger runs across valleys and mountains to deliver the message. More structured are 'Cerro de la Virgen' and 'Camino Estrellado', which are arguably the most beautiful tunes in the album: the folk thing is really exploited in a most inspired manner by the band and the orchestra married in a divine unity of sound and harmony. The namesake piece that fills the final 15 ¾ minutes of the album kicks off as a Venezuelan joropo, with added adornments that come from other Latin American sources. The orchestral interlude slowly sets the mood for the last section, a malambo (a typical dance of Argentinean horsemen), in which the percussion section and the string orchestration encapsualte the remaining instruments in a moderately eerie sonic landscape. A great ending for a great album - "Mamalluca" is the ultimate expression of genius at mixing chamber and rock in a strongly installed prog folk context. A must for all Los Jaivas collectors, to say the least!

I have reviewed several albums of this band and rated them on a prog scale. And therefore, they didn't score very high. This album features a backing symphonic ensemble, which has never been a favourite of mine.

Vocals are as usual below par and when I listen to such a cacophony as "Chaski", I only have one option. Press next.

This album might opened a new genre : orchestral folk. Might be interesting but I can't endorse such perception. Things are slightly improving with "Camino Estrellado", but let's be honest, this is just average music.

And the trumpets intro for "Cerro De La Virgen" has more to do with a peplum soundtrack than with a prog song. Being folkloric. They really sound awful during almost seven minutes (the trumpets, I mean). And this is a long time, even if some good guitar notes are very welcome during the final part, they are completely ruined by the over-invading orchestra.

The only good track from this offering is IMHHO the title track. Great guitar intro but hell! These vocals, again! Some great percussion work reminds me of their debut, while Los Jaivas produced some Santana oriented songs.

Mamalluca is a complex number, which changes from mood very often. Subtle piano sounds are combined with a more discrete orchestra and beautiful fluting appears as well. If only this album were holding more of these great moments...A vibrant song. But the one and only from this album.

Melancholy, sweetness, inspiration. You all get this in here. As if the band was throwing all his forces in this closing and brilliant number. Fortunately it lasts for almost a third of this album.

But due to the very poor work before Mamalluca, I can't rate this album more than two stars.