ALAS
Encyclopedia
ALAS was a mid 1970s, mostly instrumental progressive rock
group in Argentine rock
. They were also one of the major players in the tango-rock movement in Argentina
during that period, alongside Rodolfo Mederos
's group and Invisible
. In spite of their short existence, many prog-rock fans view ALAS as one of the most original sounding in their genre.
had left Alma y Vida
to embark on a more ambitious musical project. He was eventually joined by drummer Carlos Riganti (formerly of Materia Gris), and by Alex Zuker, which became the original line up for ALAS. They made their live debut at the IFT Theater in 1975. ALAS gained rapid word-of-mouth praise for their live performances and for the instrumental virtuosity of its members.
By the end of the year they released a single: "Rincón, mi viejo rincón", a nice melody with a clear "porteño" sound ("porteño" is anything related or from Buenos Aires
), the back side featured the track "Aire (surgente)", an instrumental with great technical skill.
The first studio album from ALAS came out in 1976. It featured two extended-minute compositions, in turn subdivided into smaller passages. It is one of the definitive albums of the tango-rock scene that arose in Argentina in the mid to late 70s, with the first long suite "Buenos Aires sólo es piedra". On the other hand, "La muerte contó el dinero" is a musically multifaceted track. For this album the band was joined by bandoneón
player Daniel Binelli.
Following this album, Alex Zuker left ALAS and Pedro Aznar
joined the group. Aznar actually would bring more instrumental versatility than Zucker had, which would prove useful for the second album, which was on track to be released in 1977.
Pinta Tu Aldea was unusual in two ways: halfway though the recording, dummer Carlos Riganti left the group, and Moretto and Aznar decided not to replace him. The result would be a very disjointed two halves on the same album. The second was that the record was not released until 1983 by EMI, to this day for unclear reasons.
Yet the album opener "A Quiénes Sino" is generally seen as the best ALAS track ever; the rest of the first half is an exquisite blend of tango-rock with jazz incursions. In the second half the band does not sound as tight or in control of the music. Still Pinta Tu Aldea is consistently voted in opinion polls as one of the most essential recordings of Argentine rock in that period.
ALAS broke up by 1978. But not before leaving a legacy of creative, elegant, if at times slightly self-indulgent progressive rock. But when the results are good, the flaws are generally overlooked.
Progressive rock
Progressive rock is a subgenre of rock music that developed in the late 1960s and early 1970s as part of a "mostly British attempt to elevate rock music to new levels of artistic credibility." John Covach, in Contemporary Music Review, says that many thought it would not just "succeed the pop of...
group in Argentine rock
Argentine rock
Argentine rock , is composed or made by Argentine bands or artists, in the Spanish language. For nearly half a century it has been a major popular genre, and it is considered part of the popular music tradition of Argentina alongside Argentine Tango, and Argentine folk music.The moment when...
. They were also one of the major players in the tango-rock movement in Argentina
Argentina
Argentina , officially the Argentine Republic , is the second largest country in South America by land area, after Brazil. It is constituted as a federation of 23 provinces and an autonomous city, Buenos Aires...
during that period, alongside Rodolfo Mederos
Rodolfo Mederos
Rodolfo Mederos is an Argentine bandoneonist, composer and arranger. He lived in Cuba and France; in Argentina, he founded the cult group Generación Cero.- Beginnings :...
's group and Invisible
Invisible (band)
After the break-up of Pescado Rabioso, Luis Alberto Spinetta founded Invisible with Carlos Alberto "Machi" Rufino and Héctor "Pomo" Lorenzo...
. In spite of their short existence, many prog-rock fans view ALAS as one of the most original sounding in their genre.
Members
- Alex ZukerAlex ZukerAlex Zuker is a bass player and composer.- Early work and education :Born in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Alex Zuker has been a recording musician/composer/bassist since age 15 and became an icon a whole generation of Argentine musicians has followed. He started his musical studies in Buenos Aires'...
: guitar and bass - Gustavo MorettoGustavo MorettoGustavo Moretto is a Argentinean composer, pianist, trumpet player and singer-songwriter.- Work and education :...
: keyboards, wind instruments and voice - Carlos RigantiCarlos Riganti'Carlos Riganti' is an Argentinean tango drummer, instructor and band leader.- Early work and career :...
: drums and percussion - Pedro AznarPedro AznarPedro Aznar is an Argentine musician, with a lifetime of experience in jazz, Argentinian folk music, and rock and has had a successful career as a solo artist. He is very well known for giving rock songs a jazz-oriented style, by playing the fretless bass, with a big influence from Jaco Pastorius...
: bass
History
Gustavo MorettoGustavo Moretto
Gustavo Moretto is a Argentinean composer, pianist, trumpet player and singer-songwriter.- Work and education :...
had left Alma y Vida
Alma y Vida
Alma y Vida were an important musical group in Argentina during the first half of the 1970s. Composed of jazz musicians that turned to rock music in the late 60s , while other future members were regular visitors at the historic "La Cueva" club, Alma y Vida were pioneers in Argentina of jazz-rock...
to embark on a more ambitious musical project. He was eventually joined by drummer Carlos Riganti (formerly of Materia Gris), and by Alex Zuker, which became the original line up for ALAS. They made their live debut at the IFT Theater in 1975. ALAS gained rapid word-of-mouth praise for their live performances and for the instrumental virtuosity of its members.
By the end of the year they released a single: "Rincón, mi viejo rincón", a nice melody with a clear "porteño" sound ("porteño" is anything related or from Buenos Aires
Buenos Aires
Buenos Aires is the capital and largest city of Argentina, and the second-largest metropolitan area in South America, after São Paulo. It is located on the western shore of the estuary of the Río de la Plata, on the southeastern coast of the South American continent...
), the back side featured the track "Aire (surgente)", an instrumental with great technical skill.
The first studio album from ALAS came out in 1976. It featured two extended-minute compositions, in turn subdivided into smaller passages. It is one of the definitive albums of the tango-rock scene that arose in Argentina in the mid to late 70s, with the first long suite "Buenos Aires sólo es piedra". On the other hand, "La muerte contó el dinero" is a musically multifaceted track. For this album the band was joined by bandoneón
Bandoneón
The bandoneón is a type of concertina particularly popular in Argentina and Uruguay. It plays an essential role in the orquesta típica, the tango orchestra...
player Daniel Binelli.
Following this album, Alex Zuker left ALAS and Pedro Aznar
Pedro Aznar
Pedro Aznar is an Argentine musician, with a lifetime of experience in jazz, Argentinian folk music, and rock and has had a successful career as a solo artist. He is very well known for giving rock songs a jazz-oriented style, by playing the fretless bass, with a big influence from Jaco Pastorius...
joined the group. Aznar actually would bring more instrumental versatility than Zucker had, which would prove useful for the second album, which was on track to be released in 1977.
Pinta Tu Aldea was unusual in two ways: halfway though the recording, dummer Carlos Riganti left the group, and Moretto and Aznar decided not to replace him. The result would be a very disjointed two halves on the same album. The second was that the record was not released until 1983 by EMI, to this day for unclear reasons.
Yet the album opener "A Quiénes Sino" is generally seen as the best ALAS track ever; the rest of the first half is an exquisite blend of tango-rock with jazz incursions. In the second half the band does not sound as tight or in control of the music. Still Pinta Tu Aldea is consistently voted in opinion polls as one of the most essential recordings of Argentine rock in that period.
ALAS broke up by 1978. But not before leaving a legacy of creative, elegant, if at times slightly self-indulgent progressive rock. But when the results are good, the flaws are generally overlooked.