Alas (EMI 8294, 1976)
In the mid-1970s Argentina had one of the most exciting progressive rock scenes in South America. Alas (wings) was one of the finest acts in the genre. It was a keyboard-led trio that played primarily instrumental pieces. The self-titled Alas was originally released in 1976 on LP and was later reissued on CD.
Alas stood out from other progressive rock bands because of its combination of progressive rock with tango and Argentine folk genre called vidala. The debut album, Alas, featured only two tracks, ‘Buenos Aires sólo es piedra’ and ‘La muerte contó el dinero.’ Keyboard wizard Gustavo Moretto sounded like a dazzling mix of Keith Emerson and Chick Corea, incorporating the best of epic symphonic rock and cutting edge fusion.
The lineup on Alas includes Alex Zuker on guitar and bass; Gustavo Moretto on keyboards, trumpet, flute, violin and vocals; and Carlos Riganti on drums and percussion. Bandoneón player Daniel Binelli makes a guest appearance on ‘La muerte contó el dinero.’
This 2007 EMI Odeon CD reissue contains two bonus tracks, ‘Aire surgente’ and ‘Rincón, mi viejo rincón’ that first appeared as a single in 1975.
Alas is a progressive rock classic that represents the best of the thriving creative music scene in Buenos Aires in the mid-1970s.
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