Alma y Vida - 1971 - Alma y Vida Volumen 1

Alma y Vida
1971
Alma y Vida Volumen 1

01 - Mujer gracias por tu llanto
02 - Me siento dueño del mundo
03 - Hace tiempo
04 - Realidad de sentir
05 - La morada
06 - Veinte monedas
07 - Lágrima de ciudad
08 - ¿Y...esto
09 - La gran sociedad 

 Bernardo Baraj: Sax, Flute
Juan Barrueco: Guitar, Vocals
Alberto Hualde: Drums
Carlos Melindo: Organ, Vocals
Carlos Villalba: Bass, Vocals
Gustavo Moreto: Trumpet, Keyboards, Vocal




All of this group were jazz musicians. Mellino had been in beat combo The Seasons and Baraj, Hualde and Villalba were regulars at the legendary La Cueva club on Pueyrredón Avenue in Buenos Aires. Musically they were heavily influenced by brass outfits like Chicago and Blood Sweat and Tears. Mario Salvador left after their debut single Nino De Color Carino, which also figured on the compilation Pidamos Peras A Mandioca (MLP 335). His replacement was Gustavo Moretto.
They signed to RCA, releasing their debut album, which you'll like if you're into Chicago and bands of that ilk, in 1971. It spawned a hit Mujer, Gracias Por Tu Ilante and Veinte Monedas is notable for some fine guitar work. Vol. 2 followed in 1972 and contained two more hits Hoy Te Queremos Cantar and Don Quijote De Barba Y Gabán. Other highlights included Un Hombre Más, Para Mi No Hay Jaula and Fantasia Sobre Los Reyes Magos.
Del Gemido De Un Gorrión in 1973 veered more towards rock featuring tracks like Carna Rock Y Suficiente, Vos Te Equivocaste, Amigo notable for some superb guitar work and the title track proved to be another hit.
Vol. 4 contained their most successful song Salven A Sebastián and they also featured a conceptual work Las Cuatro Estraciones in a live show which never made it onto vinyl. Gustavo Moretto left the group after this and formed Alas, who established a considerable reputation as a live band.
Alma y Vita continued as a quintet, releasing a final single in 1975 and a less inspired album. They disbanded soon after its release but reformed for an unsuccessful reunion album in the nineties.
Mellino embarked on a solo career in the eighties recorded several ballad-style albums. Bernardo Baraj became a successful session musician with Litto Nebbia among others.