Tantor-Tantor (1978)

Tantor is one of Argentina's quintessential cult bands and, at the same time, considered one of the country's greatest. This mostly instrumental power trio, playing progressive jazz-rock, lacked wider commercial success, primarily due to the presence of instrumental tracks on their albums. Nevertheless, they garnered a large following and received significant critical acclaim in Argentina and internationally. The band consists of drummer Rodolfo García, bassist Carlos Alberto Rufino, and guitarist Héctor Starc. These three virtuoso musicians brought extensive experience from other important Argentine bands such as Aquelarre and Invisible. Formed in 1977, they released their debut album just a year later, featuring keyboardists Lito Vítale and Leo Sujatovich. This debut album is the perfect example of jazz-rock with progressive leanings, technically superb, with a frenetic and energetic rhythm, driven by incredible guitar work, electric piano and synthesizer sounds, and a powerful and punchy rhythm section. Released at a time when the progressive rock era was in decline worldwide and jazz-rock wasn't at its peak of popularity, this legendary band managed to create one of the best jazz-rock and progressive rock albums ever made. From the opening, energetic jazz-rock track "Guerreras Club" to the epilogue with the vigorous "Carrera de Chanchos," the album unfolds with excellent musical ideas that are as exciting as they are captivating. The serene "Niedernwohren," the funky "Llama siempre," the jazzy, Latin-tinged "Halitos," and the enthusiastic jazz-fusion "Oreja y vuelta al ruedo" complete an anthological and essential work for all fans of progressive rock and rock music in general.