Arco Iris is an Argentinian progressive rock band formed 1968 in Buenos Aires by Gustavo Santaolalla (guitar, vocals), Ara Tokatlián (wind instruments, keyboards, vocals), Guillermo Bordarampe (bass), and Alberto Cascino (drums). Horacio Gianello took over as drummer and percussionist in 1971. The band quickly gained a reputation for their innovative blend of rock, folk, and psychedelia, earning them a place as pioneers of Argentine progressive rock. Along with Chilean band Los Jaivas, Arco Iris were pioneers of progressive rock infused with regional South American folk music. Their sound is characterised by its eclectic and experimental nature, incorporating elements of folk, jazz, classical, and rock, with intricate compositions, poetic lyrics, and complex arrangements. Their self-titled 1969 debut LP was a groundbreaking record featuring a mix of original compositions and reinterpretations of Argentine folk songs. Their second album Tiempo de resurrección (1972) didn't offer anything new, but they bounced back strongly with the following Four albums, which are uniformly excellent. The albums Sudamérica o el regreso a la aurora (1972), Inti-Raymi (1973), Agitor Lucens V (1975), and Los elementales (1977) marked the band's creative peak, and provided a launch-pad for frontman Gustavo Santaolalla. Santaolalla, who left the band in 1975, would go on to become a hugely successful soloist and composer of film soundtracks. The band carried on without Santaolalla, recruiting Ignacio Elisavetsky (guitar) and Mario Cortes (keyboards), and shifting to a more jazz-rock sound. In 1978, they relocated to the United States, to live in a cabin in California. There they shifted their career to one of jazz, and also new-age music. Arco Iris was also known for their socially conscious lyrics that addressed themes such as love, peace, and political unrest with a backdrop of turbulent times in Argentina during the late 1960s and early 1970s. The band name "Arco Iris" translates to "Rainbow" in English. Artist Website: wikipedia.org/wiki/Arco_Iris Featured Albums: Arco Iris Related Artists: Gustavo Santaolalla, Ara Tokatlián
