CRISALIDA

I'm not sure, but I think it's the first really progressive album made in Argentina. And a very good debut! ESPIRITU created a complex but non-intrincated music, meanly influenced by 70's great bands -like GENESIS and YES- and Italian prog music. Precisely, for those who are into Italian prog, ESPIRITU sounds like a cross between the melodic side of PFM and the heavy prog of SEMIRAMIS. In "Crisálida", listeners will find lots of fine synths and excellent electric guitar work (Oscar Favrot, the band leader, is one of the best Argentinian guitar players). I specially like tracks 1, 2 and 8, but all cuts are very pleasant and well done. Few months ago, the band (with a new line-up) introduced their last album, sadly more pop-rock orientated. But speaking about the 70's works, I recommend "Crisálida" like the best ESPIRITU's stuff. Maybe a half step behind MIA or CRUCIS (the best Argentinian bands of that era, IMHO), but well worth a listen.