ALAS

The Argentinian prog rock band Alas was founded in 1975 when the trumpeter Gustavo Moretto, after the end of his previous band Alma Y Vida, returned to his keyboard skills and teamed up with bassist Alex Zucker and drummer Carlos Riganti. The Argentinian band combined elements of the progressive rock like Emerson, Lake & Palmer with fusion along the lines of Return To Forever. There are also tinges of Argentinian music, especially Astor Piazzolla. They released three albums, a self-titled debut in 1976, "Pinta Tu Aldea", which was recorded in 1977 but not released until 1983 plus a reunion album called "Mímame Bandoneón" in 2003. Their untitled debut album, which is the object of this review, combined Emerson Lake & Palmer influenced keyboard bombastic with jazz rock and Argentinian influences.

So, "Alas" is the eponymous debut studio album of Alas and that was released in 1976. The line up on the album is Gustavo Moretto (vocals, keyboards, synthesizers, flute and trumpet), Alex Zucker (bass guitar) and Carlos Riganti (drums and percussion).

"Alas" has only two tracks, two extended suites, one for each side on the vinyl version. The first track "Buenos Aires Solo Es Piedra" is divided in six parts: "Tango", "Sueño", "Recuerdo", "Trompetango", "Tanguito" and "Soldó". This opening track is a hymn to Buenos Aires. The key role is played by powerful fusion with an emphasis on keyboards, performed with the highest degree of virtuosity with many transitions, a combination of Hammond organ sound with the electric piano and Moog synthesizer, a suggestive fascination of Alas with the early sound of Emerson, Lake & Palmer. This is an avant-garde psychedelic track with generous polyphonic elements of a symphonic rock plan with changeable dynamics. Also surprisingly are the light trumpet solos by Moretto and the chaotic percussion and keyboard cavalcade of chords, at the end. An Emerson keyboard opens "Tango", which offers us a very progressive instrumental theme, which leads to "Sueño", a beautiful song where the voice is accompanied by the electric piano. The most minimalist side of the band arrives with "Recuerdo", which serves as a parenthesis until "Trumpetango", a dynamic part, with the keyboards as protagonists, reminding us of both, Emerson, Lake & Palmer and Return To Forever. The bass is very present, and at the end we can enjoy a beautiful trumpet solo. With an air of tango, "Tanguito" enters. The electric piano reminds me of Emerson or Dave Stewart. With the Hammond organ comes "Soldó", the last part of this fantastic piece.

The second track "La Muerte Contó El Dinero" is divided in seven parts: "Vidala", "Smog", "Galope", "Mal-ambo", "Vidala Again", "Amanecer ? Tormenta" and "Final". We can say that the second suite has a great choral introduction. The technical synth is played in a manner similar to Emerson with the Moog and Zucker's jazz guitar. The performance of the ARP 2600 synthesizer, the prolonged break of the Hammond organ, the rhythm section that doesn't slow down for a long time, the astral sonic effects, the hot drum brakes of Riganti and some other nuances, give to it an extensive concept mosaic, embodied with due skill and talent. It begins with "Vidala", the most beautiful vocal part on the album, wich has a wonderful electric piano accompaniment. The next three parts of the suite, "Smog", "Gallop" and "Mal-ambo", which will delight lovers of the 70's prog, are based on keyboards and jazz rock with lots of changes of rhythm, solos from Moog, Hammond organ and synthesizer. After the verse of "Vidala", the atmosphere is filled with sounds of nature, heavenly keyboards and flute. It's on "Amanecer" with the input of bass and drums that becomes "Storm". The drum solo takes us to the great "Final", with all musicians in their full power emulating again Emerson, Lake & Palmer.

"Alas" has also two small bonus tracks. They were recorded by the members of Alas a year before the main release. "Aire" is a light hearted prog fusion with keyboard flamboyant passages and a perky mood. "Rincón, Mi Viejo Rincón" is in the complete opposite of the previous track. Here we are dealing with a sensual ballad that develops smoothly, without pedalling and kinks. It has a moderate portion of jazz, little symphonic, with a melancholic Moretto's singing.

Conclusion: Alas is an historical band, one of the best artistic projects that Argentine rock has produced. The debut album of Alas is admired by Piazzolla and by all connoisseurs of the good music around the world. This is another band of the 70's, another trio with just keyboards, bass and drums (plus occasional guitars) working in a well known style. So, the comparison with The Nice, Emerson, Lake & Palmer, Triumvirat and Le Orme, is obvious. However, Alas is more committed to the playful, complex part of the Emerson, Lake & Plamer oeuvre, which means the mainly instrumental workouts on the organ and lead synthesizer classical gesture in many thematic variations and reprises. There's singing here and there, but little and inconspicuously. Besides, Alas brings to the style a jazzy bent, beyond also an American Latin touch here and there, setting them apart from the bands mentioned. So, this is a great addition to any prog lover.

Prog is my Ferrari. Jem Godfrey (Frost*)

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