EL LLANTO SECRETO DE LA LUNA

"El Llanto Secreto de la Luna" is one of the most amazing surprises of current South American prog: Zonda Projeckt is an instrumental act from Argentina, mainly influenced by modern King Crimson on the rockier side, and the Projekcts on the experimental side. As strong as these influences are, this is not a Crimson clone, but a truly original ensemble that bears its main references on its sleeve. Not unlike Gordian Knot or Djam Karet, ZP also is capable of accomplishing a sort of electronic- friendly jazz-rock with a fusionesque twist: the 6-minute opener 'Aquí y Ahora' is an energetic proof of that, with an almost minimalistic melodic line based on textures and fine counterpoints, properly developed in a well-adjusted jamming. Then comes the namesake number, another 6-minute piece, this time more focused on the ethereal, moderately unquiet elaboration of soundscapes and layers a-la Projekct. The third track is more conventionally melodic - 'Jai-Alai' is a beautiful tune clearly rooted on the typical sensibility of South American folk, only with a softly delivered electric instrumentation. With the sequence of these first three tracks alone we can have a good idea of the level of inventiveness and variety that ZP are capable of creating within the defined frames of their musical ideology. The longest piece is the 19-minute 'Los Tres Pelos del Diablo', another fine example of how these guys can take a moderately simplistic melodic base and go on, expanding and ornamenting in all throughout inventive jams and a clever management of textures and other subtleties: the musicians never show off their proficiency, but you can tell by the way that they interact that their input is full of technical prowess. Although at times there may be the impression that this particular track meanders a bit, generally speaking it feels quite solid all the way to its culminating fade-out. 'El Equilibirio' and 'Cuando el Ángel Sonrió' are ventures into a more straight melodic prog rock, somewhat inspired by current Camel, with an added slight touch of jazz. 'Luz de Inocencia' retakes the spirit of the namesake track, only with a more candid spirit, while 'El Vigía de la Tormenta' takes it to a dreamier stage. The official repertoire is concluded with 'Crimsónika', a 3-minute rocker that serves as a tribute to. well, King Crimson, of course, the 80s-era Crimson exactly. The bonus tracks are less impressive, and also bear a not so good sound production, but they're not to be dismissed. 'Triste Azul Nocturno' is a brief jazz- rock number; 'La Jirafa en Llamas' kicks off as yet another venture into the band's more electronic oriented facet, until they turn into the rocky stuff; and finally, 'El Llanto Secreto de la Luna (Coda') is a 1-minute soundscape performed on stick. "El Llanto Secreto de la Luna" is an excellent prog album that takes the challenge of sonic experimentation, without disregarding beauty or emotional vibe - the music of Zonda Projeckt manages to call the friendly listener's attention in an impressive, yet subtle way.