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Not just outside the box, but denying the existence of boxes.
Covering music from the fringes since 1993.

Reviews

Los Jaivas — Trilogia: El Rencuentro
(Columbia CI 2 476173, 1997, CD)

by Mike McLatchey, Published 1999-11-01

Trilogia: El Rencuentro Cover art

Los Jaivas is one of the longest running indigenous folk-rock fusion units. Since their debut in 1971, this Chilean group has remained true to reproducing traditional and traditionally influenced folk delivered with a rock, and sometimes progressive rock, edge. Throughout the years, personnel changes and equipment upgrades have done little to change their fundamental sound, traditional and electric instruments reproducing distinctly South American folk, at times launching into Latin symphonic rock with a charged atmosphere. Trilogia revisits songs throughout their career, and due to the modern production and less-noticeable keyboard presence, the references that have made albums such as Aconcagua, Canción del Sur, and Todos Juntos such alluring items to international progressive rock collectors are gone, particularly the swampy analog backdrops and extended instrumental sections. Thus, even though fundamentally the same group in spirit, their current “retrospective” probably would be of more interest to the world music aficionado than the average Exposé reader. With that said, this is still music impeccably played by master musicians and on over half of the CD’s 12 tracks they haven’t lost their rock edge, witness the strong rhythmic opening of “Cholito Pantalon Blanco.” Los Jaivas have taken a different approach to their core sound on just about every album in their career, this one being by far the most modern interpretation of their style, an electrifying Andean music played with veteran vigor and flair with a slick pop-like production. It’s perhaps not the best initial introduction for this readership, but the fact that they haven’t compromised their integrity over such a long period speaks volumes for this class act.

Filed under: New releases, Issue 18, 1997 releases

Related artist(s): Los Jaivas

 

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