Guerssen
Genesis (1974)****
There were quite a few bands who were named Genesis. The most known is of course the English band, who had a period of symphonic fantasy led by Peter Gabriel in the early days (until 'Broadway..') and then led by Phil Collins, who in the end, post Steve Hackett, turned the band into a pop orientated band. But there was also the American Genesis, who released a great folkpsych album ('69?), called “In The Beginning” on Mercury (review on next page). More known to collectors were the progressive Uruguayan band Génesis who released one album (1972) and 3 singles. Hardly ever mentioned is the Colombian band Genesis, although they originated out of a relatively more known garage band which had certain adventurous moves and evolutions, Los Speakers. This Genesis released various albums in the early 70s onwards. According to the liner notes it is mostly just the first three albums which whould be of international musical interest.
Personally I always loved the Latin American “progressive” scene, especially from the Spanish speaking countries. The music has a much warmer sound compared to the well exposed European countries and the US. I also never understood the navel-gazing idea that only English speaking countries were worth investigating. Latin America had the bad luck with politics, that the tyrannies that were established almost in every Latin American country with a US-improved cooperation that assure their economic control over the oil market. These governments oppressed music badly as well, because in the form it had those days, music creates more consciousness. Unfortunately there still is little written about Colombia. Only a handful of the 60s bands had attracted some attention outside their country (like the former Los Speakers or Los Yeti’s). And also from Bolivia I see little effort made to write something about their musical history. So all my respect goes to these few people and labels, like Guerssen Records who do care for what is worth giving attention outside the usual circles where there exist certain investigation.
According to the booklet more than 20 musicians cooperated on their debut album from 1972 ; the lyrics (in Spanish) on the debut should be slightly Christian inspired. Reissued now were their nicely arranged second and third album.
This second album is an acoustic rock album which is attractively arranged -which is great for repeated listens-, with a sweet and charming softness and with harmony backing vocals. Just here and there Latin folk flavours appear, in a subtle way, like the double or triple harmony flute improvisations.
We hear a bit fuzz and wa-wa mixed with piano and flute and a, typical for Latin America, colourful drumming and percussion on “Reconfortame”, a more driven track which starts the album well. More 60s flavoured songs follow after this, rhythmically flavoured with nice and colourful percussion, with an extra added colour by piano repetitions and several flute arrangements. On “Vasija De Barro”, a slightly bluesier drive appears, (mouth harmonica, electric bass), expressing this, with similar Latinrock colours and freshly arranged rhythms.
To foreign collectors, one could eventually describe Genesis slightly as a softer and sweeter version of Traffic Sound (Peru) (even when the match in the description isn’t too perfect, this might give a certain idea of their percussion, with song harmonies).
