LOS ELEMENTALES

If you're a REAL fan of jazz-rock made at the right time (mid 70's) with the right people, then chances are you'll be havin' a treat with this album from 1977. Based on the *so many times approached* concept of the four elements, it nevertheless includes everything you'd wish to get from a production of that time: expressive Moog, burning guitars, wailing saxes, solid deep bass and a healthy dose of ethnicity (though much discrete). Starting at full speed already on track one, a joyful percussive feast, the album moves on a more melodic path with flutes and this irresistible South-American perfume, sustained by a soft singing and lovely Moog lines peaking up here and there, strongly reminding of early Return to Forever. And so you'll keep travelling through the entire album, from cool to wild, from guitar to sax solo, from melodic riffs to pushing rhythms, everything played with competence and great control. Two bonus tracks are added, the last one being maybe the most ethnic piece of the album. It seems there exists at least two CD releases, both with the same content (also the bonus tracks); one has the reference LM 605457 9122 2 9, coming from Leader Music, a Chilean distribution company. This release is a digipack and includes in the booklet an interview (in Spanish) of Ara Tokatlian as well as the reproduction of the cover of the single made in 76, which is the basis of the two bonus tracks. The other one, referenced SC 9013 and coming from a label (?) called Derie Collector (no infos available on the net), has instead a booklet with a colour photo of two of the musicians and a short bio in Spanish and English. Both booklets include the same layout and content as regards the description of the tracks (text written in a circle probably supposed to figure the Earth, assorted with B&W drawings of the four elements).