TODAS LAS GRABACIONES EN CBS 1979-1983

Recently I listened to the Rock Andaluz album Nuestro Tiempo by new formation Anairt, during the song Quiero I had the idea to hear a familiar voice. And indeed, it turned out to be from Pepe Roca, the legendary Alameda singer, in my opinion the most wonderful voice in Rock Andaluz! This inspired me to write this review, as an honour to Pepe Roca, and Alameda, one of the finest examples how eclectic and varied Rock Andaluz is.

The Spanisch five piece formation Alameda was founded in 1977 when four musicians met each other on the 'Conservatorio Superior De Musica' in Seville: the brothers Rafael and Manuel Marinelli (both keyboards), bass player Manuel Rosa and singer Jose Roca. In 1978 Alameda did a serie of gigs (now with drummer Luis Moreno in the line-up) in their hometown Seville and in 1979 Alameda was allowed to record a demo-tape and soon after Alameda went from company to company to ask for attention for their demo, finally Alameda was embraced by CBS. In 1979 Alameda released their eponymous debut album, followed by three other studio-albums between 1980 and 1983. On their fourth entitled Noche Andaluza famous flamenco player Paco De Lucia joined the band on one track. In 1983 Alameda called it a day but in 1994 they re-united, along many other classic Rock Andaluz bands, like Cai and Quadalquivir. Then Alameda released three studio-albums and one live-CD, a registration from their 20th Anniversay concert in 1999.

In 2003 record company CBS released a 2-CD featuring all the tracks from their four studio-albums, released between 1979 and 1983. The 32 varied and melodic tracks deliver an unique blend of jazz, rock, symphonic rock, classical and flamenco. From romantic and dreamy to bombastic symphonic rock or swinging jazzrock. The native vocals by Pepe Roca are wonderful, very intense, a huge bonus! Alameda sounds like a very tight, experienced and skilled unit: a splendid, very fluent rhythm- section, tasteful keyboards (from soaring strings to swinging piano and sensational synthesizer flights) and often exciting guitarwork, both electric as flamenco (with contributions from legends Tomatito and Paco De Lucia).

If you are interested in Rock Andaluz/Classic Spanish Prog with strong flamenco hints I highly recommend this 2-CD by Alameda!