CRUDO

Two years after Tryo's debut another release through Via Producciones appears in the horizon, this time recorded live under the title ''Crudo''.The always sophisticated French label Musea was responsible for landing this CD overseas the same year.

The first half of ''Crudo'' is delivered in a style already known by this excellent trio of Chilean instrumentalists: A powerful, complicated and heavy Progressive Rock with dynamic Fusion mannerisms, somewhere between mid-70's KING CRIMSON and a harder MAHAVISHNU ORCHESTRA with strong essence of JOHN MCLAUGHLIN and ROBERT FRIPP workouts, divided in loose grooves, crazy solos and complex guitar lessons.The rhythm section is absolutely fantastic with deep and breezy bass lines next to some superb, technical drumming.Scratching riffs, furious rhythmic tones and sudden changes create skillful and virtuosic music all the way.The monumental ''Nueva epoca'' along with the following ''Fanfarria'' are two of the best examples of frenetic Heavy Fusion with a high technical level, full of impressive gears and breaks.Around the middle the sound of birds on ''Transcurso'' will try to introduce the listener to a completely different mood.What comes next is the total acoustic performance of Tryo, somewhere between Acoustic and Chamber Music.Electric guitars give their place to classical ones, bass is replaced by cello and the drums by percussion.These come as series of Tryo on melancholic, acoustic crescendos with nostalgic vibes, Ethnic orientations and Classical atmospheres, far from their heavier side and deep into more dreamy and trippy stylings.

I admit the second part is not exactly dissapointing, but definitely far from the tastes of the average Prog or Rock fan.Nevertheless, even these pieces are executed with sincere love, evolving into smooth, atmospheric cuts.Regarding the first half, no accurate words can describe Tryo's impressive performance, absolutely essential for lovers of dense, instrumental Prog.A bit of an uneven release, still strongly recommended...3.5 stars.