My favorite Argentinian prog rock album
Richi | Buenos Aires, Argentina | 02/16/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"There is not much more to say after the excellent description of Benjamin, but as an Argentina native I could say that Espiritu was the best group I listened when I was a teenager. I was a great fan of Yes, ELP, Genesis, Floyd, etc and cannot forget the excellent show when they played "Crisálida" live (If I'm not wrong was in 1974). I remember being astonished by the introduction of the mini-moog, which by that time was certainly no usual among local bands. Some detractors may say that they sounded more like an european prog band rather than a latin one, but for me that wasn't a flaw, on the contrary. Regrettably, the band suffered some members changes and after that they released two more albums that didn't compare with the excellence of "Crisálida""
Another obscure prog rock album worth looking in to
BENJAMIN MILER | Veneta, Oregon | 07/20/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Here another album that really took me by surprise. Argentina might be very well known for tango, but they also had their fair share of prog rock acts. Like Crucis, MIA, Alas, Bubu, Pablo "El Enterrador", Invisible, Ave Rock, and this particular band, Espiritu. Espiritu is by far one of the best Latin American prog rock bands I have ever heard (Crucis is up there too). Crisalida, released in 1975 was their debut LP, although they released a couple singles as far back as 1973. What you won't find much of on this album is Spanish/Latin/South American or tango influences. Instead they go for an Italian brand of prog, much in the vein of PFM or Celeste, with heavier passages bringing to mind Biglietto per L'Inferno or Semiramis. It's only the vocals (in Spanish) that reveal that they aren't Italian. Also surprising is the production is quite good (you'd swear these guys were European), because I know many Latin American prog bands, like Iconoclasta out of Mexico, might make great music, but their albums were often marred by sloppy and amateurish production. The cover artwork to Crisalida is by Juan O. Gatti, same guy responsible for the Crucis album covers (as well as many other Argentine rock album covers). Keyboardist Gustavo Fedel gives us some great use of Mini Moog, Hammond organ, piano, and Solina string synth, while guitarist Osvaldo Favrot (who also provides backing vocals) gives us some nice acoustic and electric guitar. When he plays electric, his style often brings to mind Michele Zarrillo of Semiramis. Vocals are provided by Fernando Berge, with Claudio Martinez handling bass, and Carlos Goler handling drums. The vocals are definately better than that of Crucis (a great band itself, who were better at instrumentals), and some nice vocal harmonies that sometimes draw comparisons to Yes. The album opens up with "La Casa de la Mente". It starts off rather electronic, with heavy doses of Solina string synth and Mini Moog. But after a couple minutes, the acoustic guitar kicks in, and you might think you were listening to PFM or Celeste. Nice vocals that obviously draw comparison to those two groups (as well as Yes). "Prolijas Virtudes del Olvido" is a rather short piece, dominated by vocal harmonies. I just love how this piece ends with Gustavo Fedel's Mini Moog, as it segues in to "Sue?os Blancos, Ideas Negras". Here Osvaldo Favrot gives us some truly stunning and atmospheric guitar work. Then the band rocks out in a manner not unlike many of those Italian heavy prog bands like Biglietto Per L'Inferno or Semiramis. Again the Spanish vocals revealing that this band isn't Italian. "Sabios de Vida" is an odd one, alternating by more mellow passages dominated by string synths and heavier rocking passages. "Eterna Evidencia" is the album's only instrumental piece, allowing Gustavo Fedel stretch out, mainly consisting of Moog solos. "Tiempo di Ideas" is another nice piece, showing more the mellow-end of the Italian spectrum. "Hay un Mundo Cerrado Dentro Tuyo" tends to get a little repetive, but the last piece, "Huy un Mundo Luminoso" sound like two separate songs. The first half is almost jazzy, with Fedel giving us some nice organ. The second half is basically a theme repeated over and over, first played on piano, then on synthesizers. What can I say? This is truly a masterpiece of prog rock, and Espiritu proves, as well as Crucis, that prog rock bands in Argentina can keep up with the very best in European prog acts. There are enough creative passages, nice vocals, and tasteful use of analog keyboards to keep the '70s prog rock fan happy. This current CD reissue, by Sony Music of Argentina, used LP-style packaging for the CD (although of course, cover shrinked to CD size), not unlike many of those Japanese reissues of prog albums that had surfaced of recent. If you're looking for some more great prog, Espiritu's Crisalida is a must!"
Excellent prog from Argentina
Jeffrey J.Park | Massachusetts, USA | 06/18/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"It is simply astounding how far-reaching the influence of the progressive rock "thing" spread, as evidenced by this incredible 1975 recording from Argentina. Musically, this album sounds a great deal like Italian progressive rock (PFM specifically), along with the Spanish band Crack, although there is occasionally a harder edge to the songs - especially in the electric guitar work.
The musicians on this album include Carlos Goler (drums); Claudio Martinez (Rickenbacker bass); Osvaldo Favrot (electric/acoustic guitar; backing vocals); Fernando Berge (lead vocals); and Gustavo Fedel (acoustic piano, Hammond organ, piano, mini-moog; and string synthesizer). All of the band members are excellent and there is some fairly complex ensemble work with a ton of synthesizers and trebly Rickenbacker bass. The vocals are also quite nice, with lyrics in Spanish. Dynamic contrasts are well-developed, as are melodies and harmonies - these guys really knew how to put a piece together. Instrumental riffs are also used pretty effectively as are "psychedelic" touches. The eight tracks range in length from approximately 2 - 8 minutes and more or less flow together into one larger work.
I love the cover art used on this album, which features a part butterfly/part female human standing on an elevated throne. Human skulls are scattered about and there is a large insect, with some rather pronounced compound eyes perched above the standing figure. Overall, this is very Roger Dean-ish imagery.
The CD itself is issued by Sony Music Entertainment as a very thin cardboard "envelope" in which the CD itself is housed. There is neither a CD slipcover nor are there liner notes.
As a huge prog fan my general take on this album is that it is some pretty fine material and should please most, if not all prog fans. Very highly recommended."
Track Listings (8) - Disc #1