EL VIAJE (EP)

While currently experiencing a (hopefully) momentary line-up crisis. Supay managed to release an EP containing five tracks from what should be their forthcoming second album. I remember a conversation I had with guitarist Luis Proaño regarding the overall sound of Supay's new material: he said that the rocking parts were intended to be rockier than ever before and the folkish parts, intended to be more enhanced than ever before. That is, Supay's renewed strategy would be one of reinforcing the contrasts between the vibrating sense or rock and the candid colors of Andean folk in a united progressive context. That was the idea and the "El Viaje" EP is the result, a coherent result, may I add. One formal problem I have with this recording is its short duration (less than 25 minutes), since the quality and intensity comprised in the repertoire leaves me wanting more, but that's what there is so far. The opener 'Ancestro' is an eerie sonic display of Andean woodwinds and percussion, not unlike the opening track to Los Jaivas' "Alturas de Machu Picchu". Once this brief telluric intro is ended, 'Almas' sets a pace that makes perfect sense with the overall description already stated above. The blues-oriented initial motif and the thematic expansions simultaneously built up by the guitar and the synth are well-connected to the differentiated folkish sections, graciously led by the woodwinds. 'Karnavaloide' is a more standardized exercise on world music with an Andean basis (no other deal can be made with Supay, of course), which serves as a proper relaxing interlude before the arrival of the EP's most explosive numbers - those are 'Supay' and 'El Viaje'. 'Supay' pretty much portrays its inheritances from early 70s Jethro Tull and mid-70s Pink Floyd. On the other hand, 'El Viaje' kicks off with a bossanova-like section fluidly set by the marriage of the rhythm section and the lush keyboard layers, while the woodwind goes soloing through, effortlessly creating dreamy evocations in the listener's mind. Once the rocky section arrives, the ambience turns into a powerful vibe of sound that steadily goes headlong for a splendid climax. The final moments almost border on prog metal, with a fabulously psychedelic synth solo that completes the allusions made by the guitar riffs. A great ending for a very good effort. 3 ½ stars for this recording - alter all, this is only an anticipation of a more complete work to come. The wait for that second album is already feeling too long.