LOS NIÑOS QUE ESCRIBEN EN EL CIELO

The sophomore effort of the ever so enjoyable Spinetta's fusion group, Spinetta Jade, is a great, though slightly different, successor to the stunning jazzy debut. Los Niños Que Escriben en el Cielo shows Spinetta moving to a catchier affair, yet not as accessible as Bajo Belgrano would be.

Spinetta's guitar and voice are clear and are augmented by Leo's characteristical synths, Diego's piano and a solid rhythm section with some funk inclinations.

The first four songs are all excellent with catchy rhythms, but if you pay attention they're not any simple rhythms, rather complex ones but done accessible somehow. They're all jazzy some way or another due to the bass or to the keys, but don't expect complex fusion, some how you could compare it to the jazz rock style of Steely Dan in the sense that both are jazzy and accessible, yet they have their moments of musical brilliance.

There are two oddities in this album however. First one is the short instrumental called 'Siguiendo los Pasos del Maestro' which translates to 'Following the Master's Footsteps', although I haven't read anything about it, it sounds to me as a tribute to John McLaughlin, just listen to it, those are the same guitar lines that John is famous of. Not bad, but nothing brilliant. The second oddity would be 'No Te Busques Ya en el Umbral' which Spinetta plays acoustic guitar for the first time in his Jade career, it's a soft emotional tune dedicated to John Lennon.

The rest of the album is similar to the first four songs, pleasant with good synths and interesting rhythms. Highlights of this second would be 'Contra Todos los Males de este Mundo' with its addictive riff and powerful vocals, and 'Un Viento Celeste' that features a splendid two minute electric piano solo.

Though mainly simplistic in terms of instrumental complexity, you really can't get bored of this easily. Luis Albert Spinetta managed to compose rather accessible yet entertaining and original pieces of fusion-inspired music that are definitely overlooked gems from the despised decade, the 80s.

4 stars: excellent compositions with a touch of originality. If you're into the more friendly side of fusion, this is a must-have, otherwise you might consider this rather poppy jazz, true or not that, this album is superb at what it offers. Highly recommended Argentine album after you've got Alma de Diamante first.

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