TANGER - TANGER - 1999

TÁNGER is one of the most proficient instrumental prog acts from Buenos Aires nowadays. Their prog style is, to some degree, based upon the influence of early 70s JETHRO TULL and 73-75 KING CRIMSON, yet the jazz-fusion leanings, melodic nuances and subtle use of textures are quite predominant in TÁNGER's overall sound, which allows them to arise from their primal influences and find their own musical voice. The melodic foundations are laid by the fluid interactions between guitar and flute: the synthesizer is occasionally used for laid-down ambiences or looped adornments, more connected to the rhythm section than to the melodic department.

TÁNGER was formed by Luis Colucci (bass & keyboard) and Daniel Algieri (flute) in mid 1995: these two musicians, who knew each other well from previous bands and wanted to explore the more artsy side of rock, were resolute to join forces with a guitarist and a drummer. At the time, Colucci had already a big amount of written material: seeing himself as a composer more than an instrumentalist, it was tacit from day one that he would be the group's musical leader. TÁNGER's original name was TERRA INCÓGNITA, but it had to be dropped since it was already registered by some other band. After a couple of guitarists and drummers came in and out, eventually in the latter half of 1997 drummer Julián de Ambrosio and guitarist Ignacio Lois completed the band's first stable line-up. TÁNGER's activity became increasingly frantic: the release of their eponymous debut CD in 1999 (recorded in several sessions and with a limited budget) was soon followed by founding member Algieri's departure in January 2000. This minor crisis didn't last too long, since a few weeks later Ignacio Lois' brother Damián occupied the flautist's role. "La Otra Cara", TÁNGER's second album, took a year and a half to be completed until its 2002 release. In August of that same year, another desertion took place: this time, guitarist Ignacio Lois decided to migrate to Spain in order to pursue a new direction for his life. Drummer De Ambrosio also left, being replaced by Ignacio Martínez. Agustín Valero was recruited as the guitarist's replacement, but he only stayed in the band for a few months: he left some recorded material with the band, though. While the band continued to search for yet another new guitarist, Colucci himself assumed the guitar parts for two new recorded tracks. Eventually, in late 2004, Eduardo Ferreyra entered the band as the new guitarist. This is the line-up that has been completing the recording sessions for TÁNGER's forthcoming third album, which hopefully will be released in the first half of 2006.

Highly recommended to lovers of energetic prog rock with jazz-oriented hints and tasteful, textural ambiences.
http://www.progarchives.com