EL INFIERNO DE LOS PAYSOS

Fulano remains and forever will remain one of the most reminisced prog-jazz bands from Chile, in no small degree due to Jaime Vivanco's musical heritage: "El Infierno de los Payasos" is the third item of their discography and the last one with its original line-up intact. It takes a modernistic approach to the style developed in the first two albums, at times featuring the use of computerized sonic adornments, but obviously it retains some essential aspects unpolluted: this album is a manifestation of simultaneous renewal and conservation. 'Lamentos' opens the tracklist with a tremendously festive mood, patent even in the most serene moments: it's like a Latinized Art Bears. Track 2 'Convicciones (de 3 Minutos)' does not last 3, but 7+ minutes. It bears a Zappa-friendly satirical mood through its show tempo; the tenor sax and bass solos are just amazing, partially resolving the track's delicate tension. Track 3 is an hermetically titled circus-like prelude to 'Basura', which brings back and enhances the sense of extroversion that had prevailed in the oponer. Jequier shies particularly here. 'Ciego y Perdido en una Ciudad Extraña' occupies a 11-minute span: this track features ethereal atmospheres, at times getting quite languid and minimalistic. The schemes provided by sax, drums and bass feel really solid through the track's overall tenuous mood. The machine effects for the last seconds is an effective portrait of our automated times. 'Fuegos Artificiales' is an agile exercise on jazz-rock bathed in RIO waters, while 'Función' is a brief keyboard nocturne, whose brevity doesn't keep it from being powerfully evocative. 'Morbosadoquista' finds the band exploring its rockier side, seasoned with funky flavors: the rap ornaments in some vocal deliveries feel really aggressive, which makes sense with the track's general dynamics. 'Aporte al Jazz' is a brief Dixieland-style fanfare that leads to 'Con Fusiones', a masterful piece that combines 74-75 Zappa and classic Weather Report: the complex melodic and rhythmic arrangements are managed with total ease. The album's last 2 ½ minutes are occupied by 'Último Lamento', a song with simplistic yet captivating melodic basis: its simple magic grows in power as the ensemble's sound becomes gradually more vivacious toward the end. After an ambitious album such as "En el Búnker", it was wise of the Fulano guys to make a stand for a more dynamic album without letting go of their gusto for musical sophistication and groove. Yet another excellent recording from this excellent band.