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Versión español:

OVNI: Entre Seres y sus Raíces
2000 (2 CD, 147:47); Fragile Producciones
Estilo: Rock progresivo / sinfónico
Sonido:*** 1/2 Composición:*** 1/2 Musicalidad /
Ejecución:****
Desempeño:**** Total de calidad: 15

De quien sabe donde - Donde, El Salvador para ser específico - viene Ovni, Entre Seres y Sus Raíces es un maravilloso trabajo de rock progresivo apasionado, romántico y melódico: Un magnífico ejemplo de lo mejor que podemos esperar de Latino América.

Las influencias de Emerson Lake & Palmer, Genesis y Jethro Tull pueden darse a notar aquí y allá, pero la voz de Ovni es completamente auténtica, nunca deliberadamente deslenguada. Y a pesar de la frecuente naturaleza compleja en los arreglos de la banda, existe una cierta sensación de ligereza y confianza que hace tan atractivo este material. Para mí, la mezcla descocida de melodías e instrumentalizaciones arriesgadamente progresivas es una verdadera ganadora.

Aún cuando está cantado en español, la voz de Rafael Alfaro es un instrumento seductoramente placentero. Es usada como un potente efecto en la maravillosamente melódica "Y si Vuelve", "Su Estado Natural", y a través de este generoso set de dos discos. Por su puesto, con este gran espacio para vagabundear, Ovni se apodera de la oportunidad para hacer declaraciones épicas. Esto incluye "Pascua" de 2:26 minutos, "El Árbol Rey" de 17:00 minutos ( la cual tiene unas buenísimas influencias étnicas) y la penta-partídica suite "Célula" que cierra el disco dos. Altamente recomendado para los locos sinfónico-progresivos.

John Collinge Progression Magazine.
Page 153, issue 36. Summer-Fall 2000.

Versión inglés:

OVNI: Entre Seres y sus Raíces 2000 (2CD, 147:47); Fragile Producciones Style: Progressive rock/symphonic Sound: ***1/2 Composition: ***1/2 Musicianship: **** Performance: **** Total rating: 15 (the top is 16)

From out of nowhere -where, El Salvador to be specific- comes Ovni, Entre Seres y sus Raíces is a wonderful work of passionate, romantic melodic progressive rock: A great example of the best we´ve come to expect from Latin América.

The influences of Emerson, Lake & Palmer, Genesis and Jethro Tull can be spotted here and there, but Ovni´s voice is quite authentic; never blatantly derivative. And despite the often complex nature of the band´s arrangements, there´s a certain sense of ease and confidence that makes this stuff so engaging. The seamless blend of melody and proggy instrumental adventurism is a true winner, in my book.

Though vocals are in Spanish, Rafael Alfaro´s voice is a pleasantly enticing instrument. It´s used to potent effect on the wonderfully melodic "Y si Vuelve" , "Su Estado Natural", and throughout this generous, two-disc set. Of course, with this much room to roam, Ovni seizes its opportunity to make epic statements. This includes the 3-minute "Pascua" the 17-minute "El Árbol Rey" (which has some cool ethnic influences), and the five part "Célula" suite, witch closes disc two. Highly recommended to symphonic prog freaks.

John Collinge Progression Magazine.
Page 153, issue 36. Summer-Fall 2000.

Strutter'zine Magazine.
The best in AOR, melodic rock and progressive rock.

LA EXPERIENCIA-OVNI (INDEPENDENT)

It's hard to believe, but OVNI is a band from EL SALVADOR! Yes, that's surely the first time I hear a band from that country, and I can inform you that OVNI is a high quality band, because their Live recorded CD 'La experienca' is a fantastic Neo-prog record. The production is great, the songs are very impressive, so is the musicianship and the vocals, and the CD has a playing time of 70 minutes, so what more do you want! You can compare OVNI to bands like IQ, JADIS, PALLAS, PENDRAGON, so melodic keyboard orientated Neo-prog. The band has been around ever since the late 1970s, but this is the first CD I hear of them, so I am definitely gonna look for their previous albums (if they made more of course). There's not a weak moment on this CD and the only thing that sets them apart from the UK Progacts is the fact that they sing in the Spanish language. To me that doesn't matter, because what we get to hear is great melodic Neo-prog music. There are a lot of sensational songs on this live recorded CD, such as "Mentesolidaverdad", "Y si vuelve" (bit AORish prog ballad, like last JADIS), "Erase un ser", "El angel", "Cienca muerta" and "En el reino de la rosa" (best song, pomp orientated Sympho-AOR a la 80s ASIA). Without any doubts, this OVNI is one of the best Latin Prog/AOR/Melodic Rock bands around. This is a true must-have band if you're into stuff like IQ, JADIS, PENDRAGON, LANDMARQ, TIMELOCKS? More info can be found at: https://www.angelfire.com/rock3/ovni/ and e-mail them at: seres@ovni.com.sv or rafaelalfa65@hotmail.com

(Points: 8.5 out of 10).
Gabor Kleinbloesem.
Editor of Strutter'zine.
https://www.angelfire.com/ma/strutteraor

ENTRE SERES Y SUS RAÍCES/EN ALGUN REINO-OVNI (FRAGILE PRODUCTIONS)

Very soon you can expect an interview with the only (?) Progressive Rock/AOR band out of El Salvador. I reviewed their latest CD a few weeks ago, but happily I was also able to get to hear some of their earlier records, such as 'S?En algrun reino' (1995) and the double CD 'Entre seres Y sus raices' (2000). I must say that I am quite hooked onto this band, as OVNI's music is very impressive and will appeal to both Sympho/Prog and AOR fans. They sound a lot like the 80s records of bands like IQ, PENDRAGON, PALLAS, ASIA and a bit ARENA, yet with Spanish lyrics, which make OVNI sound quite unique, a most bands in this Neo-Prog style sing either in English or Italian. Anyway, there's a lot of really high quality music on these two discs (actually 3 CDs, because one is a double CD), and I would like to mention here the best songs. First off, on the 1995 disc 'S?En algrun reino' the best tracks are definitely "En el reino de la rosa" (great midtempo Sympho/Prog AOR with big keys, little like ARENA), "Lycra'afil" (more mainstream uptempo Sympho-AOR), "Rio" (great AOR ballad) and "Mentesolidaverdad" (fantastic huge Neo-prog). There are also some poppier tunes, such as the IT BITES orientated "A marte" and "El angel" that both are also akin to bands like FROZEN GHOST and GOWAN. Nevertheless, this 1995 released album of OVNI is recommended to fans of earlier mentioned Neo-prog bands. And so is the more recent double CD 'Entre seres Y sus raices', with over two and a half hours of classic Neo-prog a must to own if you're a fan of this genre. Highlights on these two discs are "Erase un ser" (great uptempo Sympho), "Y si vuelve" (excellent semi AOR ballad), "Quisiera el" (pure 70s 13-minutes counting Progressive Rocker, with lovely keyboardwork, a lot like YES), "El Corazon de la Ciudad" (great uptempo progressive AOR), "Ciencia muerta" (superb high quality prog, excellent keys!), "La Venganza del ager" (pretty good midtempo Neo-prog), "Murmullos" (pure 80s PALLAS, IQ, PENDRAGON) and the high class progressive rock dream "Celula". OVNI is a highly recommended band from El Salvador, and maybe one of the best Neo-prog bands out of Southern America, give them a chance, especially recommended if you're a fan of IQ, PALLAS and TWELFTH NIGHT (actually this is the band that is best related with OVNI's music). I hope to interview them soon, but for now, go to their site at: http://www.ovni.com.sv and e-mail them at: seres@ovni.com.sv or rafaelalfa65@hotmail.com