Classic Rock Society
Baja Prog Festival, Mexicali, Mexico 3-6/3/99
Tempano (Venezuela), who replaced Tempus Fugit, had the unique distinction of not having performed together for 18 years but had obviously rehearsed like crazy for tonight's opening set. The band claim to have made the first Venezuelan progressive rock album in 1979 but shortly afterwards, due to splits and other demands on a young group of artists, the prog version of the band disappeared. The original members recently reformed through the efforts of Alexis Bello based in Switzerland and the excellent French progressive label Musea. That first album has now made its way to a Musea cd with 3 contemporary tracks added as well as a contract for another album. The band would love to get some help in promoting themselves beyond the borders of South America and would be very keen to play for us in the UK.
Classical training shines through in the keyboard (only one but with great variety of sounds) and guitar work and the bass is often used as a lead instrument in collaboration with these rich keyboard backdrops. Unfortunately due to technical problems and delays the band were forced to perform immediately after their sound check, without even being able to change into their stage clothes and took some time to warm up. However, when they did get under way they grew in confidence and vitality. Pedro Castillo (lead guitar) has a wonderful, powerful yet mellow voice which is perfectly controlled and is capable of some remarkable vocal acrobatics the like of which I haven't heard from a singer other than the late great Demetrio Stratos of Italian fusion/experimental band Area. It is easy to appear a complete idiot using your voice this way unless you are very good. Pedro pulled it off very well indeed.
They claim their influences to be from classic British bands of the 70s but personally I heard more of France's Shylock and the aforementioned Area in their challenging compositions. The three new songs showed that the band had been able to pick up where they left off 18 years before but with the benefit of maturity and enhanced technical flair. The final song in particular which is the title from their cd Atabal Yemal, raised the roof and bought the band a good finish and critical acclaim from those I spoke to after the set. I expect we will be hearing a lot more from Tempano soon – keep your eyes open for these guys.
Richard Barnes
Reproduced by kind permission from Paul J. Allwood # Director - Classic Rock (UK) Ltd.
See the CRS WWW page # http://www.birwood.demon.co.uk/crs.htm
