The B-side of Argentine rock: five hidden albums by its biggest stars
From Spinetta’s only English-language record to Charly García’s legendary bootleg tapes, these overlooked releases show another side of the country’s rock icons La entrada The B-side of Argentine rock: five hidden albums by its biggest stars se publicó primero en Buenos Aires Herald .
Luis Alberto Spinetta, a prominent figure in Argentine rock, released "Only Love Can Sustain" in 1979, his only solo album sung entirely in English. Produced by George Butler, the album was recorded in Los Angeles and New York with a star-studded lineup of musicians, including Terry Bozzio, Alex Acuña, and Abraham Laboriel. Despite having only five tracks, the album showcased Spinetta's versatility by blending soft rock, jazz fusion, soul, and funk with lush strings.
Though it didn't perform well commercially, the album remains a unique addition to Spinetta's discography. The title track, "Only Love Can Sustain," was originally written in Spanish but adapted into English. The album was reissued in 2016. In 1988-1989, Charly García recorded an extensive collection of unreleased and unfinished studio material, which later became known as the "Black Album" or "Cintas negras."
The tapes circulated among sound technicians, friends, and collectors, offering a raw look into García's creative process as he transitioned into the Say No More era. The album includes studio banter, discarded English-language compositions, and experimental electro-pop tracks. Plan V, a 1996 album by Gustavo Cerati and a group of Chilean musicians, is an electronic and ambient masterpiece.
Recorded in Santiago de Chile and at local studios, the album features five tracks and showcases Cerati's experimentation with new sounds. The band performed two secret shows in Buenos Aires before 40 people, and a video of one of those performances was later published on YouTube. En directo, the only official live album by Patricio Rey y sus Redonditos de Ricota, was released in 1992 to counter low-quality bootlegs.
The album captures highlights from two concerts in Uruguay and Argentina, featuring the band's signature rock songs composed by Indio Solari and Skay Beilinson. Lastly, Babasónicos' "Carolo" is an album composed of discarded tracks from the recording of "Jessico" (2001). Originally meant for release in 2001, the project was shelved due to the economic crisis.
The album, released in 2012, features a mix of rock and pop with dream pop and post-rock influences.
Written by urgent.news from Buenos Aires Herald's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
