AI TENCARGO

This record is quite different from the other items of BE because all the compositions are written specially for the band by... different mexican modern contemporary music composers - there is not any music written by band members! I have listened altogether four albums from six of BE and this one may be IMO the most interesting among them. When the other records of BE have bit questionable moments in some themes, this one seems almost perfect. Compositions are quite longish (with hints to pre-columbian music sometimes) to go along with and the spectrum of sounds is awesome - marimbas, percussions, saxes, flutes in addition to rhythm section. Almost masterpiece - 4,5 stars really!!!

This is the last album from this excellent mexican band, as the same style of their other albums, this is a very RIO influenced album, here we can find anything from Henry Cow to Gong, well obviously i try to say that is on the same way, but not the same sound, Banda Elastica is one of the best mexican bands ive ever heard, this album is full of complexity and great musical arrangements, their rythm section is beautiful too, i think they put a lot of effort to this album, i dont know if this is the last, i hope dont, because i believe that this kind of bands here in Mexico are great to the progressive movement in my country, well, talking about the album, pay attention to songs like "Modelo a Seguir", in english A Model to Build, is aan excellent open song, and another excellent song in my opinion is Balada One, we can find in this album also instruments like Tabla or beautiful Sax, a really great suggestion!

3.5 stars. BANDA ELASTICA had a nice consistent career beginning with their 1987 debut and ending(so I thought) with their sixth recording from 2003. Well this seven piece band out of Mexico surprised me and a lot of people by releasing an album in 2021. I'm not sure if they just felt there was unfinished business or maybe they are back on the bus. Most mention HENRY COW, MIRIODOR and Frank Zappa when it comes to this band's sound.

After their energetic and ethnic filled debut they really hit their stride with "Banda Elastica 2" my favourite, where they slow things down some and allow some space, plus they reduced the traditional sounding stuff. This sixth record is different again. No keyboards which is strange, plus we now have three sax players. A seven piece who decided this time to cover music by various modern composers instead of creating their own music. The results in my opinion are better than the debut but a step down from that second release.

My three favourite tracks are the ones where the flute, not the sax leads the way. That short 2 minute third song which is the first of a three part suite for the flute creating atmosphere. "Banda 1" at 7 1/2 minutes is pretty impressive. Just so much going on much of the time, plus we get space. Some rare inventive guitar on this one plus plenty of sax and flute. I really like the drumming on this one as well. Last top three is the opening section of "Three Pieces" at 4 1/2 minutes for a rare dark track with haunting atmosphere. Sparse is the word.

Still, this is very much a hit and miss affair with that second song "Azul Ocre" being an example of them going where I don't want to go, and that's the world of smooth sax. More hit than miss this one, but not in the league of their second album, and not quite 4 stars.