TANGER

Tánger is an Argentinean instrumental ensemble that assumes the combined influences of 69-71 JT and 73-74 KC as a fundamental basis for their own prog sound, while not confining themselves to being just mere clones or wannabes. Their peculiarity resides in the inclusion of some light yet easily noticeable touches of jazz fusion, and some added Latin American folk nuances in places: the result is more obviously melodic than KC and less exuberant than JT, so Tánger can be properly described as a band devoted to finesse and subtlety in a prog context well apart from symphonic splendour or epic pretensions. Flutist Daniel Algieri - who also plays occasionally some tenor sax - keeps a healthy balance between a delicate sense of melody and a taste for free improvisations: his is the most relevant role in the ensemble's interplays, with the guitarist working as its most recurrent counterpart, and the rhythm section duet providing a precise foundation for their partners to stand upon. The compositions (all written by bass player Luis Colucci) are somewhat restrained, mostly based on concise riffs and chord progressions: while the actual execution leaves some room for creative jamming, the band members take special care at functioning as a well-adjusted unit, never letting that room for freedom expand itself excessively in order to preserve the integrity of the main musical ideas defined in the compositions. All things considered, it is that JT/KC-based thing that becomes their most notorious signature: accordingly, numbers such as 'Espejos' (an effective opening track), 'Laberintos' and the energetic closure 'El Filo de la Eternidad' turn out to be the most "prototypical" ones in the repertoire. 'Nova Lisboa' shows the band keeping their JT/KC while experimenting with some ethnic stuff provided by a synthesized harmonic sequence. Later on, 'Una Tristeza Nocturna' travels along the seas of electric blues in an introspective manner, and 'Más Allá de la Noche' finds the band turning onto their jazziest side. The eerie 'El Sueño de los Mares Lejanos' comes as a special surprise: it's a most clever exercise in elaborating mysterious ambiences, creating a density so peaceful (as opposed to disturbing) that leaves this reviewer speechless. My personal rating for Tánger's eponymous debut album lies somewhere between 3 and 3 1/2 stars; all in all, this may be a good place to start for those who want to investigate seriously in the amazing current prog scene that is being developed in South America.

P.S.: One year after this release, Daniel Algieri left and was replaced by Luis Colucci's brother Damián. One year after that, Algieri passed away. Therefore, this album is a definitive testimony of Algieri's masterful musicianship.