ALUMBRAMIENTO

Passing through the mid-00's Cangaceiro kept it rolling with their live performances and participated with two songs in a CD/DVD called ''La 8º Maravilla 2", organized by the Concepcion municipality.In 2007 the band starts the rehearsals for the recording of a second album, which would be finished only two years later.Mylodon Records picked up the band and released the album ''Alumbramiento'' in 2009.

Yet another lovely combination of Andean Folk tunes with heavier, electric rhythms are displayed in this album, which reminds me both of LOS JAIVAS and maybe KING CRIMSON, having often a jazzy taste.A mass of electroacoustic breaks and texts and some nice interplays are the basic characteristics of this release, which seems to rely much on the use of traditional instruments, but contains lots of progressive elements as well.I could say that the first half is strongly dedicated to Andean Folk with the support of the rhythm section and some electric explosions added for good measure and comes as a mix of nostalgic, traditional interplays with charango and flute in evidence and some sort of Latin-spiced Jazz with a loose character.The second half is a bit more diverse, going from powerful Heavy Prog to dense Progressive Folk, the acoustic instrumentation remains the leading force, but you can find elements of Progressive Rock, Andean Folk and Jazz all present in the same track, while the interplays become more intense and complex.The heavier tracks contain a few vocals that go rather unnoticed in a largely instrumental work.The overall atmosphere is joyful and positive due to some ''dancing'' tunes displayed here and there.

Chilean Prog Folk with elements of Jazz and Heavy Rock.The acoustic interplays are charming and the Latin tunes are quite pleasant, maybe a more fair dose of electric texts and an expanded running time (this one clocks at 34 minutes) would be welcome, but even as it is the album is a great example of the influence of LOS JAIVAS in the Chilean music scene.Good and recommended stuff.

In the early Eighties I stumbled upon pivotal Chilean prog folk band Los Jaivas, I was blown away by their wonderful blend of symphonic rock and ethnic music, all those beautiful sounding Andean guitars and flutes! The last two decades I am very pleased with new Latin American prog folk bands like Supay, Flor De Loto and, last but not least, Cangaceiro, from Chile. In 1994 they started as a young six piece band, gradually their sound changed into a captivating blend of rock, prog and ethnic music.

On Alumbramiento (from 2009) Cangaceiro delivers a lof of variety and a lush instrumentation, with the focus on typical Andean folk instruments (charango, quenacho and quena) and Afro-Caribbean percussion (conga, bongo and timbaleta). As you can hear in the opener Festejo: a blend of folk (the atmosphere of La Bamba comes to my mind) and prorock (King Crimson) featuring acoustic instruments (percussion and guitar), wonderfully mixed with powerful saxophone, biting wah-wah driven guitar and a propulsive rhythm-section. This is topped with very pleasant Spanish vocals.

The other 7 tracks also deliver atmospheres with Andean flutes and guitars and Afro-Caribbean percussion. The way these instruments are blended with powerful electric guitar, fiery saxophone and strong drums is very exciting. Cangaceiro also surprise with nice musical ideas.

A jazzy Fender Rhodes electric piano in Secuestro De Una Doncella.

A captivating contrast between King Crimson-like scale acrobatics, warm Spanish vocals and a sultry bass solo in Sojuzgado Por Una Quimera.

A mix from fat guitar riffs and soaring Andean flutes in Diptongo.

And a classical guitar intro in Metamorfosis A Cuatica Cueca.

The running time on this CD is only 38 minutes, but here it's quality above quantity with Chilean Cangaceiro!

My rating: 3,5 star.