Playlist "Psyche van het Folk", Radio Centraal, Antwerpen, Belgium 2003-2-26 : ARGENTINE SYMPHONIC PROGRESSIVE MUSIC (1974-1978) : An overview of MIA, ESPIRITU, CRUCIS + Redd & Sui Generis. Progressive and symphonic rock with tremendous moments. In the radio show two groups were also mentioned, Invisible and Maquina de Hacer Pajaros. These groups had airplay before. These were also important as progressive groups with complex composition, slightly more Fusion. The groups played in this radio show adapted the best of British Progressive Music, and transformed it into an Argentine flavoured symphonic. Compared to those best British symphonic groups / recordings the Argentine groups still stand out amongst the best. Especially the singing is often especially skilful from the heart, something we never hear from this quality in British music history. Ciclo 3 MIA : Transparancias (ARG,1976)***** Tr.1, "Reencontrado el Camino" 3 min Tr.2, "El Casamiento de Alicia" (->430) 5 min (fragment) Tr.3, "Imagen II" 4 min Tr.4, "Contrapunto ritmico" 7 min 19 A must have, one of the best to come out of Argentine. Beautiful symphonic structures, as good as the best Italian stuff. Wonderful keyboard (piano / organ / cynth) driven music. With Lito Vitale. Strangely enough the second track has a "land of hope and glory" like melody adaptation, (in fact "Pomp and Circumstances" which I preferred not to have been adapted. I preferred to play the first side. The record is well produced. Especially 'Contrapunto" is extremely skilful. Bonus tracks : Carlos Melero : Conciertos (ARG,1978) Nice piano pieces by Litto Vitale. Ciclo 3 MIA : Magicos Fuegos del Tiempo (ARG,1977)***° Tr.1, "Lirica del Sol" 4 min Tr.2, "Crisálida, mi min-a" 6 min 10 30 A more acoustic album, with lots of classical piano, with one jazzy improvisation. More, beautiful singing. bonus tracks : Carlos Melero : Conciertos (1978) : Ciclo 3 MIA : Cornostipicum (ARG,1978)***** Tr.2, "Imagen III" 4 min Tr.3, "Crifana y Tamilstenes" 8 min Tr.6, "Cornonstipicum" 18 min 30 60 Professional acoustic and symphonic fusion progressive, with more acoustic guitars, electronic keyboards, some singing. Most of it is tempered, but the title track is incredible, with tremendous keyboards by Litto Vitale, classical and contemporary vocal arrangements, wonderful tempo changes, el. Guitars,.. Highly recommended. The bonus tracks are ok too. Bonus tracks : Carlos Melero : Conciertos (ARG,1978) Fine acoustic guitar improvisations in fusion style. Microfon Espiritu : Crisálida (ARG,1975)**** Tr.1, "La Casa de la Mente" 7 min Tr.5, "Eterna Evidencia" 4 min Tr.6, " Tiempo de ideas" 4 min Tr.7, "Hay un Mundo cerrado dentro Tuyo" 5 min Tr.8, "Hay un mundo Luminoso" 7 min 27 87 Very good, mostly instrumental symphonic progressive (with very good keyboards and electric guitars). Difficult to leave out a track, because these are fluently interwoven with one another. Microfon Espiritu : Libre y Natural (ARG,1976)**** Tr.3, "Los Ecos del Silencio Interior" 3 min Tr.4, "Imagines tenues y transparentes" 7 min Tr.8, "Final del Sol Ardiente" 2 min 12 100 Contains the same formula, sometimes slightly more melodic symphonic. These two Espiritu albums were very good, were well produced, stand perfect in their time. They were very good but not that powerfully inspired like MIA or Crucis. BMG Crucis : Crucis / Los Delirios del Mariscal (ARG,1976)***** LP Crucis 1976 Tr.2, "Mes" 5 min Tr.4, "La Triste Vision del entierro proprio" 5 min Tr.6, "Determinados Espejos" 7 min 17 117 A classic of progressive symphonic rock songs with heavy instrumental arrangements. Beautiful keyboards. The most splendid tracks here makes this release an inevitable listen. LP Los Delirios del Mariscal 1976 Tr.10, "Pollo Frito" 6 min Tr.11, "Abismo Terrenal" 13 min 19 136 Still a good album in a similar style. Especially "Pollo Frito" is more heavy instrumental progressive rock arranged, with jazz fusion like keyboards, but with some electric guitars lead and solo's, incredibly played. Also the track after that has melodically very fast guitars, with very crafty freak-outs, from an unbelievable craftsmanship. It also has an amount of a jazz fusion touch. It also contains an electric bass solo improvisation part and a short drum solo at the end. Precise playing. Great. The 2 albums on one are a must have for every progressive rock fan. The solo album by Gustavo Montesano after this (1981) is awful neo-/melodic symphonic progressive. Microfon Sui Generis : Peguenas Anecdotes sobre la Insticiones (ARG,1974)****? Tr.8, "Tema de Natalio" 7 min 142 A track being played to fill in the last gap. While the style of the album is more acoustic this track still fits with the radioshow. It's the most symphonic track. It's a beautifully arranged track. The rest of the album is very fine too. Prog.Rock Redd : Tristes Noticias del Impero (ARG,1979)****° Tr.1, "Tristes Noticias del imperio" 10 min Made with the help of MIA members. Influenced by King Crimson. Another incredible track. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ More information on Argentine progressive music in general : http://progressive.homestead.com/ARGENTINIAPROG.html (on the next pages you'll find links to individual pages and information : http://progressive.homestead.com/ARG_GROUPS.html & http://progressive.homestead.com/ARG_GROUPS2.html ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ General index page : http://psychevanhetfolk.homestead.com/index.html Other playlists : http://psychevanhetfolk.homestead.com/2003.html