LOS JAIVAS [AKA: TODOS JUNTOS; LA VENTANA]

First of all I want to clarify that this version in ProgArchives is not the original version of the album, whose original name is "La ventana" (the window), the original Chilean version included only the following tracks. Lado A 1. "Marcha al Interior del Espíritu" ? 2:16 2. "Mira Niñita" ? 6:57 3. "Todos Juntos" ? 5:52 4. "La Quebrá del Ají" ? 4:43 Lado B 1. "Ciclo Vital" ? 10:03 2. "Los Caminos que se Abren" ? 9:40 3. "El Pasillo del Cóndor" ? 0:25

Many different versions was made, for Chile, Argentina, and for the rest of the countries, which were edited in different years, adding themes from singles, the PA version is the most complete of all.

Clariefied this, lets start. (considering the order of the PA version)

"Todos juntos" (La Ventana) it`s a very important work in Los Jaivas career, of course they musically improved very much from their experimental first work "El volantín", but not just that, in this album we can found very emblematic songs to Chilean music, this album is the one that made this band known in Chile.

Despite having a real advance in musicality about their previous job, I think that the real merit of this album is that it came to trying to appease a political, and social division among many Chileans, THIS MEANS THAT, IF WE LOOK THIS ALBUM ONLY WITH PROGFANS EYES WE WILL NEVER DISCOVER ITS TRUE VALUE.

For example, the first theme: "Marcha al interior del espíritu" repeated constantly and insistently the phrase "seamos amigos, seamos hermanos" (lets be friends, lets be brothers) is a very simple song, but it is full of the joy of Los Jaivas. An almost childlike joy, this song gives way to a more serious composition, "Todos juntos" (All together) musically is a huayno (Andean folk rhythm), and, a curious thing, this huayno is the first one played with a battery of drums ever registered). It has a short flute introduction and begins the song, that includes many short electric guitar solos, flute solos, and many percussion at the end. The lyrics constitutes the statement of principles of Los Jaivas: unity, brotherhood, tolerance, this statement of principles is what they have supported from the beginning to the present day, also this song is more than just a song, it has become an anthem, known by all Chileans ("Todos juntos" is taught in schools from an early age).

"Mira niñita" is a very well known Los Jaivas song in Chile, it's very emotional, starts with acoustic guitar and xylophone, the voice of Gato Alquinta is tender, then comes an instrumental development that increases the intensity of the song including electric guitar, charango (Andean string instrument) excellent piano lines and a very good flute solo. Then, after 2-3 minutes restarts the vocals being accompannied for all the last elements but this time also with epic kettledrums to reach the final.

"Los caminos que se abren" is the first incursion of the band in the symphonic sound, the result was not brilliant but it is at least decent. This theme is fully instrumental, the flutes that sounds accompaining the piano are "tarkas"(Andean flutes present on several festivals in Peru, Bolivia and northern Chile) fuzed with electric guitars, al this things provides a psychedelic atmosphere to the theme, but it is and somewhat monotonous and repetitive, especially during the first half. the theme becomes more interesting with the entry of the symphonic instruments: cellos and a bassoon, also a violin solo. this piece tries to be dramatic and spooky, I'm not very sensitive to such sensations, so I couldn't tell if the objective of the theme was met.

"Indio hermano" (Brother Indian), is a song that doesn`t belong to the original "La ventana" album, it is taken from 1973 single "Indio hermano / Corre que te pillo". Despite not being a progressive song, it is an excellent fusion between rock and folk sounds, in this theme, we note again the indigenious sense of the band.

"Ayer caché" were taken from the side A of the single "Ayer Caché"/"Todos Juntos", it's a bolero (not the classical music bolero, but a Cuban romantic rithm) it's a`nice song but I don't think does not seem to be musically very interesting, specially for progfans.

"Ciclo vital" is very experimental, the percussion its constituted mainly by kettledrums, also has several flutes (ocarines, sweet flutes, quenas) dramatic piano lines, I think this theme but its very monotonous, and the the constant sound of the kettledrums can be annoying.

"La Quebrá del ají" is one of my favorite tracks on this album, is a cueca (cueca: a type of Chilean music characterized by a particular rhythm and melodic structure), but in this case Los Jaivas were innovative, it is the first cueca-rock of the band (I don´t know if it is the first cueca-rock ever, but I think probably it is), I found this song very original the first time I heard it, its lyrics, its rhythm and fusion, and currently it is a song that I have much affection, although it may be out of progressive rock fans' interest.

"Corre que te pillo" taken from the single "Indio hermano / Corre que te pillo" is the second symphonic theme of the band, an instrumental malambo (malambo: Argentine folk dance with a particular rhythm), this theme was republished in 1983 on the album "Aconcagua". Non-symphonic version of 1982 is considered by the fans of Los Jaivas as the usual version. The original version is very good, very good melody, good percussion, the accompaniment of violins, piano lines and an excellent electric guitar solo in the end, however, it has a very aged sound and eventually we discovered it was far outweighed by its reedition, which includes an amazing drum solo by Gabriel Parra.

"Cuero y piel" is another track that does not belong to the original "La ventana" LP, originally Side B of "Mira niñita" single of 1972, it´s just pure percussion, I think this theme will not have any interest to prog fans, including me. Finally "Pasillo del condor" it's a 25 seconds farewell, it is just a pure folk nice short piece.

This album, musically has good and bad moments, but it is one of the most significant albums in Los Jaivas career because of its history and its meaning, A curious fact: Chilean government approved a project that would provide technical and monetary support for the transcipcion of this album and "Alturas de Machu Pichu" album to official sheet music, each drum, each plate, each music note with the aim of preserving the national musical heritage. regards.