Guest Mix by Chris J. Morris
Editor’s Note: For those who’ve ventured to the FOND/SOUND Facebook group our guest for today’s mix, Chris J. Morris, has been tearing up the board with fascinating share, upon fascinating share, much of it from his personal collection. Showing a deep knowledge of Latin experimentalism, and so much more, I was ecstatic to see that he had something special to share with us at the blog. This mix gives us a peek into a special sound that just screams of the altiplanos and llanuras costeras of Argentina, albeit via some rarefied musical aires, speaking of fusion that’s more than mere modal technique. Be sure to follow Chris on Instagram (@christopherjmorris) and on YouTube, and more avenues you can see by scrolling below, if you like what you hear…
Imagine you find yourself wandering around a park somewhere within the Río de la Plata region. It’s not quite autumn yet; it’s the in-between time at the end of summer. The leaves are beginning to turn, the weather is warm, and there is a gentle breeze. It’s the golden hour. Río de la Plata is the estuary where the Uruguay and Paraná rivers merge and empty into the Atlantic ocean. It’s also an area ripe with creativity and collaboration.
This mix focuses on the unique experimental jazz-fusion of late ’80s and early ’90s Argentina, often found on a variety of releases from Litto Nebbia’s Melopea Discos label. The sounds range from light and airy to mythical and contemplative; ambient Balearic jazz-fusion at its finest to true experimental synth’d-out bliss. While not intended, in many ways, this grouping of music is an ode to Litto Nebbia because of his added touch of sintetizador work and production to almost each release on his label and his taste for the unique and unfound sound.
Layers upon layers of instrumentation weave in and out of each track. Madre Atomica‘s “Remando Y Girando,” La Sonora Del Plata‘s “Matina,” and Arida Conta‘s “Desde Aqui” are prime examples of what this mix strives to convey: a lush, dreamy soundscape. Each track is a mini suite of its own fiber taking the listener through pastoral calm.
Then, there are straight-ahead jazz-rock inspired fusion tracks like Quique Sinsesi & Cesar Franov’s “Memorias De Salta.” Or the slow prog-like and repetitive “Hombre Grande Hombre Chico” from Comedia, as part of their unique blend of chamber jazz-fusion on their Nubes LP. Listen here and here.
I hope you enjoy what has become an obsession of mine. You can hear more of my discoveries, on YouTube, here, or listen to a mix of Uruguayan Candombe Fusion: here. Part 2 coming soon. Elsewhere, find me on Instagram.
Otoño de Nuevo: Argentinian Fusion From the ’80s and ’90s.
1. Alejandro Santos – 5 Carnavales 4
2. Quique Sinesi & Cesar Franov – Memorias De Salta
3. Madre Atomica – Remando Y Girando
4. La Sonora Del Plata – Matina
5. Arida Conta – Desde Aqui
6. Alfombra Magica – La Suspenda
7. Comedia – Hombre Grande Hombre Chico
8. El Molino – Tema de Ayer (edit)
9. Arida Conta – Silencio
10. Silvia Iriondo – Canción de Arena
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