Tantor -

Tantor was an Argentine jazz-rock combo that made a 1979 self-titled album on Philips, followed by the 1982 Raviol release Mágico y Natural. Their two mainstays — guitarist Héctor Starc and drummer Rodolfo García — both hailed from Aquelarre. Original bassist Carlos Alberto Machi Rufino came from Invisible.

Members: Héctor Starc (guitar), Rodolfo García (drums), Carlos Alberto Machi Rufino (bass, 1978-81), “Babú” Cerviño (keyboards, 1981-83), Marcelo Torres (bass, 1981-83)

Background

Tantor formed in Argentina in late 1978 when guitarist Héctor Starc and drummer Rodolfo García continued their post-Aquelarre partnership with bassist Carlos Alberto “Machi” Rufino from Invisible.

The concept evolved from a star in Spain, where Starc and García spent 1975–77 with Aquelarre. In Spain, Starc conceived material in Madrid and sent the tapes to Buenos Aires, where Rufino added bass parts. After Aquelarre’s homecoming farewell concert at Luna Park, Tantor commenced as a trio.

They first recorded two pieces at Phonogram for a possible single, then continued work with guest keyboardists Leo Sujatovich and M.I.A.‘s Lito Vitale.

Tantor

Tantor released their self-titled debut album in 1979 on Philips.

The album presents guitar-led instrumental rock with jazz-derived section changes and two Spanish-language vocal tracks. Starc wrote five pieces and co-wrote two vocal songs with Luis Alberto Spinetta.

“Guerreras Club” charges through clipped accents and compact ensemble turns. “Niedernwohren” eases into an unhurried cadence, with keyboard lines set against calmer harmonic motion. “Llama Siempre” sings through a concise vocal entry and tightens the refrain around Rufino’s lead. “Oreja y Vuelta al Ruedo” races between guitar figures and rapid counter-lines. “Hálitos” hovers in a dusk-toned atmosphere. “El Sol de la Pobreza” locks a sung line to taut rhythmic accents.

A1. “Guerreras Club” [Warrior Women’s Club] (4:30) – Starc
A2. “Niedernwohren” (5:41) – Starc; refers to to Niedernwöhren, a municipality in Lower Saxony, Germany.
A3. “Llama Siempre” [Always Call] (3:18) – Starc, Luis Alberto Spinetta
A4. “Oreja y Vuelta al Ruedo” [Ear and Lap Around the Ring] (6:37) – Starc

B1. “Hálitos” [Breaths] (7:02) – Starc
B2. “El Sol de la Pobreza” [The Sun of Poverty] (4:43) – Starc, Spinetta
B3. “Carrera de Chanchos” [Pig Race] (7:48) – Starc

Tantor cut album material during the November 1978–March 1979 studio period. The front sleeve contains a line-drawn elephant above three head portraits beneath the band name.

Mágico y Natural

Tantor released their second album, Mágico y Natural, in 1982 on Raviol.

The album contains eight pieces in a revised quartet format. Starc and García return alongside bassist/vocalist Marcelo Torres and keyboardist/vocalist Babú Cerviño.

“Nildo el Torpe” accelerates at a brisk clip. “Siento el Eco de Tu Voz” glides through suspended C-to-A-minor chord motion, then repeats the title phrase across the refrain. “Toda la Noche, Día” settles into steadier mid-tempo motion. “Tobi” chants through group-voice placement and compact section turns. “Mágico y Natural” places vocal blend beside nonstandard timbral detail. “No Me Cambies Nunca” closes on vibraphone tone and clipped cadence.

A1. “Nildo, El Torpe” [Nildo, the Clumsy One] (5:15) – Torres
A2. “Siento el Eco de Tu Voz” [I Feel the Echo of Your Voice] (4:43) – Cerviño, Zielinsky
A3. “Toda la Noche, Día” [All Night, Day] (3:57) – Starc, Sujatovich
A4. “Después Te Explico” [I’ll Explain Later] (5:23) – Starc

B1. “Tobi” (3:35) – Cerviño
B2. “Mágico y Natural” [Magical and Natural] (5:51) – Starc, Emilio Del Guercio
B3. “Albaricoque” [Apricot] (6:23) – Starc
B4. “No Me Cambies Nunca” [Never Change Me] (1:57) – Cerviño

Tantor recorded the album in 1981 ahead of its Raviol issue. The front sleeve contains four musician photos on a textured ground beside a torn title card.

Discography: