Viajero Inmovil's efforts are anything but stationary, and the Argentine label continues to unearth articles cloaked within the sands of yesteryear. Talismán is a reissue of a decade-old album by Rodolfo Alchourron, who passed away in 1999 at the age of 65. This half-jazzy, half-proggy affair is the work of no less than one bandleader (guitarist Alchourron), six more instrumentalists and one singer. A very laidback album, this is; the first twenty minutes (tracks 1-3) are quite mellow, veering dangerously close to lounge terrain with an extra assist from vocalist Naty Swartz. "Hola Y Adioses" ("Hellos & Goodbyes") is the first composition that will rank a little better with listeners, a sort of Camel/Oldfield-ish affair, with Alchourron's lyrical guitar work. Flugelhorn and clarinet players Roberto Martin and Daniel Kovacich help "eclectic-ize" the brew. "Volá Gorrión" ("Sparrow's Flight") is also a more upbeat affair thanks to fretless bassist Máximo Rodriuguez and drummer Germán Bianco, but Swartz's wordless musings ("Amiga Nueva" is the only song with actual lyrics) always bring things down a notch or two, however pleasant her voice may be. "Por Calles De Barrio" (Through Neighborhood Streets) is the eleven-minute closer (no bonus tracks, this time around). Alchourron lays down some splendid acoustic solos a la Pat Metheny, and keyboardist Pablo Saclis in turn spins his Lyle Mays piano solo, while Swartz's long follow-up spoken word narrative (with minimal accompaniment) is peaceful but mundane. There are moments that sparkle on here, but be wary — to get to the berries, you have to get past the thorns.
Tracklist:
1. Arbol De Sirenas (Tree Of Sirens) 6:43
2. Conflictón (5:24)
3. Milonga De Los Invisibles ([Dance] Of The Invisibles) (7:40)
4. Hola Y Adioses (Hellos & Goodbyes) (7:32)
5. Amiga Nueva (New Friend) (5:18)
6. Volá Gorrión (Sparrow's Flight) (7:25)
7. Por Calles De Barrio (Through Neighborhood Streets) (11:13)
Total time – 51:23
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