LA ERA DE PISCIS

Here is one of the finest surprises from the Chilean progrock label Mylodon Records. This amazing four piece formation never released an album so it was time to release this CD that contains material from the Eighties, recorded between 1982 and 1986 in changing line-ups.

I was immediately impressed by the high level of the musicians. Their often swinging sound alternates between early Camel ("Moonmadness" and "Mirage"-era) and jazz(rock): dynamic, many shifting moods, great accellarations and lots of splendid soli on guitar and keyboards. The interplay between the musicians is outstanding, both in the more symphonic parts as in the jazzy interludes like "Swing de ilusiones" (including vibraphone). The synthesizer soli (frequent use of the pitchbend button) sound somewhere between Peter Bardens and Jan Hammer. The track "Zodiaco" reminds me of Pendragon, mainly because of the Nick Barrett-like guitar work.

I had a great time while listening to this strong and powerful instrumental music from Evolucion, this one is HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!

One of the pioneers in Chile holding the progressive rock flag up high during the 80's.Everything on Evolucion came around keyboardist Pedro Munoz Recabarren,who found the band in 1982.The original line-up included guitarist Ciro Vega,bassist Fernando Islas and drummer David Castaneda.Many line-up changes would follow,no less than ten musicians participated on the project with Munoz being the only stable member,but this would not prevent the band from performing numerous shows.A collection of the band's early days was released in 2005 by Mylodon Records under the title ''La era de piscis'', consisting of material written between 1982 and 1986.

An all instrumental effort,''La era de piscis'' sees the band creeping from CAMEL-esque Progressive Rock to slick Jazz-Rock and melodic Fusion.All compositions are nice and well-played with some of them having a slight commercial edge,propable due to the production than the musicianship,which is quite adventurous and rich.With a very tight performance the band delivers excellent CAMEL-influenced melodies with beautiful guitar work and some symphonic synths on the background but also energetic Jazz-Fusion with the dominant electric piano of Munoz on the front and a jazzy rhythm section accompanying.Evolucion switch their sound from smooth passages to mind-blowing delivery with comfort and this is a main characteristic of the album.As said,the production is mediocre and the tracks contain a few easy-sounding hints typical of the age,but this are the minority,as the overall style is in a progresive rock vein.

In 1987 an amount of 500 cassette copies were sold at the Chick Corea Elektric Band concert in Santiago,however the grand days for the band had passed and Evolucion disbanded in March of the same year.For fans of bands/artists like CAMEL,MARIO MILLO or AIN SOPH,this album is a must-have.Anyone into Symphonic/Jazz-Rock should also give this band a shot.A nice and recommended surprise from Chile.