Commodore’s Desde el lado sur features song-based fusion sprinkled with excellent musicianship. The songs come first, but you’re given a taste, or more like a tease of their chops. The opener “Conflicto” will prove my point with a memorable melody line, and spectacular guitar and keys throughout. This track sums up the album; good songs, hot playing, but moments where the music feels a bit too smooth. Those moments are quickly quelled as the band fires back up, but exists throughout the album. “Encrucijada” lulls me a bit at first, but they slowly add some good interplay, and the next thing you know the guitar kicks in and gets things going.
Personally, some of the tracks fall out of my wheelhouse due to that light/smooth feel, and the use of vocalizations (“Liego en 5”) and the title track. Although well done, I’d much prefer to hear the soloists on their instruments. The piano solo with the horns mixed in, and the acoustic guitar solo on the outro saves the track. Honestly, that’s usually the case with many of these tracks, there is always something interesting within each song. “Idea” has some great playing, but I could do without the lengthy drum intro.
The opening lines to “Modus Operandi” have a Jean-Luc Ponty flavor. It features terrific electric keys, and a guitar solo that is on fire. The song finds a solid groove with bass soloing over the top. You want more bass? Check out his soloing over that gorgeous string arrangement in “Barbados Revisited”. “Desde el lado sur” comes across a bit too smooth too often, but in the same breath, it is hard to dismiss such good musicianship and songwriting.
Track Listing:
1. Conflicto
2. Encrucijada
3. Liego en 5’
4. Caparazon
5. Uno
6. Idea
7. Desde el lado sur
8. Modus Operandi
9. Barbados Revisited
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