Arco Iris ~ Argentina

Agitor Lucens V (1975)

---7/9/09

This is a new revelation for me, and comes as quite a surprise. I always thought of Arco Iris as a new age / Andes Mountain hybrid from the 1980s. Then I was told their 1970's albums were different, so I got ahold of Los Elementales (which is on CD), a very fine fusion album from 1977. 

Agitor Lucens V appears to be unique in their canon. This is one of the best things I've heard in the last couple of years. It's a mite inconsistent, which is part of its charm I think. In some ways, this is Argentina's version of the Lula Cortes and Ze Remalho Paeribu album. And when you find out that their spiritual guide was a gorgeous babe / former fashion model, then you know these guys were tuned into something special.

---5/15/25

Agitor Lucens V was my highest rated album that I still didn't own a physical copy of. For many years this was the case. Even though Sony reissued the album on vinyl in 2020, I held out for an original since the reissue was also very expensive considering postage. Finally the reissue made its way to these shores, and I nabbed one at a relative bargain price.

It's been 16 years since I last heard the album while doing deep research for the CDRWL. As you can tell, the album made a strong initial impact and created separation from others in the stack. So has it held its allure? Oh definitely. Even better actually. Agitor Lucens V is a special album and truly is one of a kind. The album is almost indescribable yet it's mostly familiar within the context of each song. There is little consistency, very much an exploratory 70s styled release. My earlier comparison to Paebiru is accurate on a number of fronts, other than Arco Iris are more in control and professional (well, side 4 does get really out there). In some ways, one could see this being an Italian prog album were they allowed to stretch to a double LP. I first thought of this as I heard the long bluesy guitar jam that closes side 2. It reminded me of Garybaldi. Now mix some of that with Osanna circa Palepoli and you start to paint the picture. For a double album, it's enjoyable throughout, because you're embarking on the same journey as the group. You never know what's going to happen next. These are the best type of albums to have ever been made.

Ownership: 2020 Sony Argentina (2xLP). Gatefold. Sounds like it's been taken from vinyl, so keep expectations in check. Doubt originals sound much better to be honest, though I'd still like to have one. If Sony doesn't have the masters, then hopes for a perfect CD reissue are not likely.

7/9/09 (review); 5/15/25 (acquired / update)
 

Los Elementales (1977)

Arco Iris were always an unusual lot in the 1970s. All of their albums are different from each other, and often times different within the album itself. But not in that trite Beatles way which many bands fell victim too, but rather a much more exploratory element was present. The preceding effort Agitor Lucens V is one of the greats from the South American progressive rock scene, recalling other outsider works such as Paebiru from Brazil.

So when I first heard Los Elementales, my reaction wasn't that much different than some of the reviews I've read. Because it is after all 1977, and jazz fusion was all the rage. And on a cursory listen, that's what Arco Iris are doing here. But close inspection reveals far more than swapping synth, sax, and guitar solos over a breezy selection of tropical tunes. It's much more dense, sometimes angry, often times beautiful. The melodic component is high, and the technical chops are sound. In tow, of course, is their fashion model / spiritual guru Danais (Dana) Wynnycka providing guidance - and perhaps better for the rest of us, a few soft female vocals.

Don't overlook this one, if you have a taste for fusion, but looking for something more substantive.

Ownership: 2006 Leader (CD). Digipak. Includes an interview of the band (in Spanish) and a couple of relevant bonus tracks. 

6/10/07; 2/7/14; 7/15/16 (review)

1/1/17 (new entry)