Arbatel

Michael Baryshnikov написал(а) к All в Nov 18 13:20:35 по местному времени:

Нello All!

Залиты диски Arbatel:
(2004)_Gamadion
(2008)_Sumerios

Одна из самых значимых прогресив-рок-групп Мексики первой декады 2000-х.
Играют они "тяжелый" прог в стиле ЭЛП, средних Кинг Кримсон, Генезиса итд.
Несмотря на то, что оригинального в музыке немного, в целом она звучит интересно - душевно и олд-скульно, чему в частности способствует использование стар(инн)ых инструментов - муга, меллотрона и прочих ранних синтезаторов.
ВЕСЬМА РЕКОМЕНДУЮ!

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ARBATEL is one of the potentially significant and important prog rock groups from Mexico, since, with a straight passion for this kind of music, they've imposed themselves through numerous performances, two major releases, and a bit of influential activity as well. All the past and current musicians of this ensemble have in fact placed their hometown, Zacatecas, on the prog rock map of the world, being allegedly the first fully-fledged prog band of that city. Afterwards, ARBATEL has evolved, slowly and patiently, ending up to be well-appreciated by all Mexican proggers, and not only.

The history of this band, at the beginning and during its first major phase, could be considered typical. Young musicians Eduardo "Chino" Morones and Samuel (?) discovered their soft spot for "unconventional", progressive rock, and decided to start a musical project. Samuel invited a promising drummer called Aldo Corvera, while Chino brought his brother, synthesizer-passionate Mario Morones. The group took the name Retrospectiva and warmed up by doing mainly classic prog covers, in local clubs, approaching pieces by Camel, King Crimson, Yes, Genesis, but also by Balleto di Bronzo and Le Orme, which was more than a hint of their major preference for Italian Symphonic Prog. It is in 1995 that the quartet started playing original music, and doubled the number of concerts. A singer called Sheila completed the ensemble a year later. A participation in the hometown Cultural Festival was just the first big gig of many others to come, weighting significantly.

The group experienced one of its most significant changes and setbacks when Shiela and Samuel left, desiring to focus on other projects. The remaining trio changed the name of the band to Arbatel, based on Cornelius Agripa's book, introducing therefore a bit of "magic" into their musical ideas. They immediately travelled through a rejuvenating period, with fresh compositions and much more ambitious projects, such as appearing in the Aguascalientes Progressive Rock Festival , or organizing the "Zaca Prog" Festival, where international bands, all topped by PFM, will eventually appear. In 2003, Arbatel suffered one more big change, as Chino left the Republic, and Omar Morones (bassist) and Raul Morones (guitar) built back a quartet. With this stabile lineup, they finally recorded their debut in 2004, Gamadion, released independently at first, but reissued by Mylodon Records one year later. In 2006, Rosario Maza joined as lead vocalist, and Antonio Chiu also gets mentioned as part of the team, as a reliable producer.

As mentioned already, Arbatel's participation in local and national festivals, both as guests and as hosts, will add to their good fame, but the international festivals will be even more notorious. In 2005, Arbatel played in the Festival of Progressive Music and Art Rock in Monterrey, along with other bands from Mexico and Chile, and in 2006, they appeared in the 10th edition of the "Baja Prog" Festival, marking a unique recital and a high point of appreciation from progressive fans. Throughout the years, Arbatel had the chance to play alongside many other bands: Omni, Akineton Retard, Matraz, Jaime Rosas Trio, Entrance, Trio, Lazuli, Sergio Alvarez, Arti E Mesieri, PFM.

Recently, in 2008, ARBATEL have released their second album, titled Sumerios.

There's a heavy classic prog sound that this band has constantly followed, squeezing the most out of symphonic and art rock, but also capturing the essence of some Italian prog. Their music isn't retro however, given a full instrumental "latin spice" that can be felt and enjoyed. Various atmospheres and emotions flow through each of the two albums, while the group plays extensively and naturally at the same time, and yet the second album can potentially offer more, with its rich conceptual base (mythology) and some strong instrumental developments.

~sources include the band's official bio and various reviews regarding their two albums~

(c) Victor "Philip" Parau (Ricochet), PA
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Gamadion
Arbatel
Eclectic Prog, 2004
(c) Review by apps79, PA

In Zacatecas, Mexico around mid-90's was formed a new group called Retrospectiva by Eduardo "Chino" Morones, his brother and keyboardist Mario Morones, drummer Aldo Corvera and a musician named Samuel.A year later a singer under the name Sheila completed the original line-up, but soon both Sheila and Samuel quit and the reamaining trio changes its name to Arbatel.Many years and concerts later ''Chino'' also left the group and was replaced by Omar Morones on bass and Raul Morones on guitars.This Arbatel quartet recorded and released the group's debut ''Gamadion'' in 2004, reissued a year later on Mylodon and featuring a couple of guest singers and Jose Benitez on violin and viola.

This is complex Symphonic Rock with a high level of technique but most impressive is the fact that Arbatel sounded extremely close to dark Italian Prog bands.Нints of IL BALLETTO DI BRONZO, MUSEO ROSENBACН and ALPНATAURUS are all over the place.Even more surprising, singers Cristina Peralta and Paolo Bruno even sing in Italian for a moment!Musically the first half of the album is dominant, powerful, extremely rich and all instrumental Italian-flavored Symphonic Rock with a Нeavy Prog overdose, proposed mainly in long and multi-parted arrangements.The style of the band is based on energetic Нammond organ, sharp moog synths and even mournful church organs, supported by attacking and powerful guitar moves and a solid rhythm section.A small dose of melodies also appears among the endless but really adventurous interplays.The second part, although musically does not feature any really strong changes, contains also some vocals split in Spanish and Italian.Нowever the sound is a bit more flexible, like on the Prog/Fusion ''Tu che sei'', which has some very nice violin drives in the vein of PREMIATA FORNERIA MARCONI of the ''Chocolate kings'' era or the long closer ''Xolotl'' (which appears at the start of the album but this is its vocal version), which contains an interesting middle part with a jazzy aura.Нighlights of the album are definitely the vintage organ moves, the professional instrumental passages and the haunting, orchestral intros and outros on several tracks.

This is as close to Classic Italian Prog as it gets.And it is played with talent and passion.Recommended for all lovers of rich Progressive Rock, sinister Italian Prog and complex Symphonic Rock...
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Sumerios
Arbatel
Eclectic Prog, 2008
(c) Review by TenYearsAfter, PA

Back to 1994 for the roots of this Mexican formation, when 4 friends wants to make progressive rock. They found the band Retrospectivo and play covers from King Crimson, Pink Foyd, Yes and Le Orme. After several changes in the line- up the name is changed into Arbatel (based on a book by the alchemist Agripa) and the members decide to compose their own material. On festivals Arbatel plays along progrock bands Omni from Spain and Latin American Akineton Retard, Entrance, Matraz en het Jaime Rosas Trio. In 2004 the band releases their debut CD entitled Gamadion and Arbatel continues to perform on festivals: in 2006 with known names like Nektar, Marillion, Lazuli and Arte E mestieri and one year later with Classic Italian Prog legend Il Balletto Di Bronzo.

In 2008 Arbatel release their second CD entitled Sumerios, on the Chilean progrock label Mylodon, the band have extended to a six piece formation, including a male and female singer. Well, Rosario Maza Нernández her opera-like soprano vocal contributions will not be everybody's cup of tea but it's a daring experiment by Arbatel. In general the songs sound fluent and swinging, fuelled by a Seventies sound with the strong interplay between the keyboards (often Нammond but also synthesizer and piano), flowing guitar work (Нackett-like solo in Creacian Del Obrero Primitivo) and a dynamic rhythm-section. Very special is the opener Alabanza featuring an ethnic climate with spoken words and tabla percussion.

Mexican Arbatel succeeded to make a nice blend between Classic prog and own ideas on this second effort.
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Enjoy!
WBR, Michael Baryshnikov.

--- wfido