Mare Tenebris (Parthenon, 2005)

This is the title track of a rather obscure prog album from Venezuela, released by a band born in the late Seventies. A series of line-up changes and hiatuses prevented the band from starting an official discography until 2005, but when their debut album finally came, it was a very good one. This track will show you how skilled these musicians are and how rich and diversified their ideas were in CD.

Also the CD packaging has a  weird and tempting look...

The texture of this composition surely reminds me of ELP and other powerful prog bands, but also the quietest moments are very good and highly atmospheric, including clever keyboard and guitar interplays and a brilliant drumming. Drummer Juan Carlos Ballesta and keyboardist Robert Santamaria can be considered as the backbone of this reincarnation of Parthenon and the final result is an exciting symphonic rock I actually recommend to you all.

Åtabal-Yémal (Témpano, 1979)

Témpano have a long and successful story in Venezuela and are pretty known and appreciated abroad. They lived many musical lives during their career, exploring different genres, but progressive rock was their first love, as the title song of their debut album proves very well. More than this, their kind of prog was a highly eclectic one, mixing electronic devices, symphonic arrangements and beautiful melodies. It's difficult to label an instrumental piece of music like "Åtabal-Yémal", a lushing series of moods and ideas.

...And my congratulations for your shirts!

 

It surely includes some pleasant synth-pop moments, but it would be unfair to file such a song on the 80s pop music shelf. Too many surprises, unpredictable changes and original sounds enrich this rather long track and single it out as a true progressive fruit. Sure, the period marks are strong, but I daresay "Åtabal-Yémal" keeps today all its charming and dynamic qualities, so that I can recommend it to you as one of the best relics of early Southern American prog.

Arco Iris (Estructura, 1980)

During the '80s, it was easier to find very good prog albums in South American Countries than in Europe. This is exactly the case with Estructura's self titled LP, including this "Arco Iris". Even if David Mamán's keyboards are definitely influenced by Rick Wakeman, this song is more than bombastic (and well played) keys. Firstly, I appreciate Antonio Rassi's guitars, giving an essential contribution to the big picture, then I won't forget María Eugenia Ciliberto's vocal performance, bright and strong as a prog rock voice should be.

This was the band's second (and last) studio cd.

The whole band offer a convincing proof of their prog (and rock) nature. The classic and delicate intro soon becomes an up tempo wall of sound, then a melodic sung theme and so many other things afterwards. No time for getting bored, my prog friends... just pure, enjoyable, plain prog. And if you find this too easy for your tastes, well, forgive me, but I like some catchy and sunny tunes now and then.

Retorno (Equilibrio Vital, 2010)

Prog from Venezuela and a good prog too. Equilibrio Vital is a triple life band, with two good albums during the '80s, then a reunion in 2003, and another one in 2010, the year of this track, the title song of their fourth studio album. There's a deep melodic soul in "Retorno" ("Coming back", in English, a title that perfectly matches with the band's history), but the main feature seems to be the atmospheric and surprising changes between acoustic and electric moments, framed in a clever musical pattern.

This cover art was even more intricated than the music inside.

I really like the alternate 12 string guitars and keyboards, but when they also add a flute somewhere in the song, well, I definitely give up and love this track. In that very moment I thank the guys from Muséa label that gave new life to Equilibrio Vital, so that they could go on along their colourful and pleasant path. Try their music, my friends, they're actually worth your attention.