TEMPANO - ATABAL-YEMAL - 1979

Excellent symphonic progressive rock with some grand original melodies and instrumentation. "Atabal Yemal" carries a heavy early "CAMEL" influence with a heavier improvisational aspect to it. The instrumentation is lush and the rhythms are nice and varied with some pretty vast swings throughout. Vocals are exceptionally done and I would put Pedro Castillo at the top of his league with his emotive style and beautiful voice. "Atabal Yemal" has been carefully transferred from vinyl as the master tapes have been lost but considering the age and source the sound quality is quite good. Guitar playing is tremendous with some HACKETT'esque solos and accents throughout. The "CAMEL" influences are more evident in the atmospheric keyboard landscapes and electric piano interludes. One of the standout aspects of this great little album for me is the high skilled percussive and bass performances displayed here. The percussion parts take on a great number of forms from straight forward rock to prog/jazz without ever dominating or crashing the songs out... Bass is heavily accented throughout this album with lots of fretless bass jabs and runs. The bass and guitar interplay is really some of the best I have ever heard and without a question this is a jem of an album... If you pick up the '98 re-released version by Musea Records you will also get 3 new tracks which parallel the character of songs found of their stunning new album "Childhood's End". A great album with lots of amazing instrumental work.
http://www.progarchives.com