LA VORÁGINE I, PAN NEGRO

In 2003 LOS JAIVAS released their early recordings as a 5 CD series ''La Vorágine I - V''. As we can expect from each CD subtitle, 'Improvisaciones 1969 - 1970', most of them are pure jams. Initially these records are not intended to reach huge commercial success. They are addressed to band's devoted fans and, probably, to fans of the late 60s era, more precious, to its experimental part.

So ''Pan Negro'' is the first CD from this series.

Tracks 1 - 3 are mostly instrumental blues jams with some folk touches. Guitars, bass and drums are main instruments here, though organ, harmonica (played by guest musician Gringo David) and recorder also present. Vocals are ocassional and sometimes, especially on the first track, are quite annoying.

Track 4, 'Cancuón del Gancho' is the only 'real' song here. It's also blues, but, according to the info from CD booklet, it is taken from 1973 recording sessions, when the band concentrated on more focused compositions.

The last track, almost 24-minutes long 'Tocamos música de vanguardia ¡y qué!', is, like it follows from its title, absolutely wild and crazy improvisation. Another Chilean band, LOS BLOPS, took part in this happening. Vanguard fans probably will like it, I can't say the same about other listeners.

Sound quality is high on tracks 1 - 4, on the last track it's rather bootlegish, but not too poor at all.

My rating is 2 stars. You don't need this album if you are unfamiliar with band's classic albums from 1975 - 1984 period. But if you are hardcore LOS JAIVAS fan and would like to know how the whole thing started, this album is for you (though I think even in this case you will not listen to it very often).