INTI RAYMI

Conceived as a concept album around the legendary Inca adoration ritual to the sun, "Inti Raymi" remains partly influenced by traditional Andean music. The opening them guides the listener into a deep spiritual acoustic exhibition, mainly made of repetitive acoustic guitar parts, charrango and discreet atmospheric vocals. "En nuestra frente" is a brilliant jazzy rock illustration including great sax sections and ethnic percussions. The main singing part is written as if it was a folk ballad. The end features a nice guitar solo break. We can notice that the album alternates with a certain facility some folk "bucolic" ballads and captivating jazz rock attacks. "Maritimaria" is a dancing, rhythmical ballad, combining accessible vocal lines, a mainstream jazz rock structure turned into a "warm" Latin flavour. "La pastoral de los peces" is an acoustic, pastoral melancholic ballad with female's voices, chorus and guided by folkish flute lines, acoustic guitar and organ. A pleasant introspect musical interlude. My favourite on this one with the opening track. "Abran los ojos" is an enthusiastic Latin rock 'n roll excursion with effective, academic but pleasant sequences (notably the catchy guitar solo sustained by the Hammond organ). "Adonde iras, camalotal" is a disappointed composition, so soft and so banal at the same time. Musically its mainstream jazz meets easy acoustic folk ingredients. "Solo como el cardon" is a heart breaking ballad only composed for voices and guitar, beautiful. "No quiero mirar atras" is a dynamic jazz rock composition. The most progressive dimension of the album. The track contains some delicate floating passages. The sax solo part is totally freak out. As in a procession the last tune takes back the main theme, closing this musical and spiritual travel. A significant progressive jazz rock item, integrating "world music" elements. Nevertheless regarding the impressive discography of the band, the insistent accessible, academic part of "Inti Raymi" doesn't put it at the top of Arco Iris Career.