Two albums and at least four years have passed since the brothers Jose and Freddy Rizo-Patron, together with Manuel Sanguinetti left the group called “Hang Tens” to form a Rock project much more serious, which would be called “Traffic Sound”. Their first release was a mini LP that contained six covers of different artists titled “A Bailar Go – Go”, her second album entitled “Virgin” made the band finally found their identity within the psychedelic rock scene, leaving for posterity what would come to be a hymn, the song “Meshkalina.”
Los Hang Tens
The picture above was taken in the García-Sayán estate in April 1967. The musicians are, from left to right: Felipe Larrabure Aramburú (lead vocals and founding member), Guillermo Perez-Argúello (lead vocals since 1967), Diego García-Sayán Larrabure (drums and founding member), Ramon de Orbegoso Elejalde (bass 1964-1967, lead guitar since 1967, founding member), Jaime Sabal Saba (bass since 1967) and, Juan de Aliaga Fernandini (rhythm guitar since 1967).
Los Hang Ten’s : 45 RPM , Odeon 45-9671 (Nov.-1966)
“Till the end of the day” / “These boots were made for walking”
After that, it was time to achieve more maturity, and they succeeded with their eponymous album (which is also known as Tibet’s Suzettes III or referring to the opening song on the disc). The sound of Traffic Sound had a distinctive light on the psychedelia Latino British or American, which made it different compared to other bands in this part of the continent and perhaps in the world.
Each musician had different influences, in this album Jean Pierre Magnet (flute, saxophone) and Billy Barclay (guitar) was inspired by Ian Anderson and Martin Barre of Jethro Tull, the rest of the group members had influences from Santana, Cream and Hendrix but the great merit is that they managed to mix all this and create their own unique brand that distinguished making them something special.
The album begins with an excellent “Tibet’s Suzette (Gently Guaranteed to get you high)” and they do not make promises in vain, the song makes you feel at the top. This track is very close to the beginning of Tull, you feel a similarity with “Teacher” (both songs were released in April 1970), the strong guitar by Willy Barclay Barre and a solid bass by Willy Thorne. The song continues with some melancholy but very psychedelic, when Jean Pierre Magnet begins with his flute, the Tull sound is even more evident, the atmosphere is a mixture of progressive blues with a Latin sound mixing gentle and effective, great song, with extraordinary change, being the star Jean Pierre Magnet, who is absolutely brilliant with the flute and saxophone.
“Those Days Have Gone” starts accompanied by piano, perfectly supported by Freddy Rizo Patron with the rhythm of the guitar and the voices again similar to Ian Anderson (well, in this case is only a matter of vocal range), the style of the flute in this track is sweeter and milder than in the previous track and moving towards a final jazz, again led by Magnet incredibly flute and piano by Willy Thorne.
“Yesterday’s Game” is a typical track of Traffic Sound, absolutely in the line of British fashion but with a Latin sound only from the percussion probably played by the singer Manuel Sanguinetti, simple but effective backing vocals and a solid way of playing by Luis Nervaez battery.
“America” is softer compared to the previous ones, begins with an acoustic guitar and distorted vocals again (which is not a surprise). Jean Pierre Magnet does an excellent job with the flute well aided by the beauty of the piano by Willy Thorne. The perfect addition to this song is the rare Hindu atmosphere created by the band. The performance is excellent but the song is rather weak at this point, yet not bad.
“What You Need and What You Want” starts with an atmosphere exactly “Locomotive Breath” by Jethro Tull, now, any of similarities should be casual, because “Traffic Sound” was released a year before “Aqualung” then it is impossible to copied from this section of Tull, but if you have the opportunity to listen, you will notice that the songs are identical.
The name of this song “Chicama” is the symbol for surfers around the world, some people say it is the most perfect wave in anywhere, then no person can expect a similar surf to any song by The Beach Boys .. Nothing so far from reality, the song is pristine Latin Psychedelia, with a fabulous saxophone that creates a sound entirely of Motown jazz guitars and Latin percussion, the song ends as it begins, but after an incredible piano, flute and voices extravagant guitars now play a Hendrix style, wonderful experiment.
“You Got to Pay” is the classic track Acid Psychedelia, with all the elements that make this genre the most amazing, strong guitar to Hendrix, fast drums and even sections where the voices are played backwards and at different speeds, this early experiment is that it represents, wonderful and quite advanced for any Latin band after the 60’s.
Before the voices no one could believe “Got to Be Sure” is one Jethro Tull song, but again we must insist that this influence is not only a similar style of two bands that started in the same year and became simultaneously to Traffic Sound that sadly persists, with a quick acoustic guitar for a short but powerful track.
The album ends with a short piece, but lovely, played on piano called “Empty”, simple but perfect for calming the spirits after the frantic mix in sound, very classic.
other LPs
Download mp3s of TRAFFIC SOUND (Peru Rock Psycodelico)
Listen Recovery 