SENTIMENTS

I consider this work one of the best on the realm of jazz-rock fusion. They had already released two other albums previously, but their musical experience goes a little more backwards. Max had already participated in the group Tapiman, which released a good disc on 1972, that's also on the jazz-rock vein. And before that, he was on some other projects that didn't work so well (IMO). Kiftlus and some other musicians made a very good psychedelic- progressive effort on a 1970 release under the name Proyecto A. And Sancho was on the band Armada, that also came up with an album on 1972. Let's go back to "Sentiments". The dialogues and challenges that the instruments provide between themselves are outstanding. They prove that you don't need the best equipments to make great music; if you're a genius, of course. Even though all of them are exceptional artists, Max Sunyer, the guitarrist, stays one step ahead on brilliance and inventiveness. Clean notes come and go with great energy and vivacity on his performances. And the longer notes are very passionate. I'll make some appointments on most of the tracks. The intro one is a crescendo in both speed and guitar complexity, very intense. It's short, and closely connected to the following track, on which the group presents its incredible versatility and cohesion when it comes to jamming. When one instrument is playing short notes, the others take up less space. So, although the executions are fast- paced, it's not confusing, and at the same time it's very enjoyable to follow the phrasings they create, like a huge box of assorted chocolates and candies. They don't let the energy drop until the conclusion of side A. The 5th track, which opens side B, has a fun chorus of barking dogs. When they jump into the song itself, the rhythym is a little less inspired, compared to the other tracks. However, the phrasing soon finds its place within the rhythmic sections, and as a result the level improves. The bass is heavier, creating a slightly funkier vibe. The last two tracks are an invaluable legacy for progressive rock. "Joguines" shows unbelievable dexterity and emotion on the acoustic guitar. With piano accompaniment and a more jazz or soft-jazz feel on the drums, there is an organic and fluid partnership. "Allegries de Mediterrani" is an explosive feast of sounds. It starts at a normal rhythm, with brief drops in volume and sound mass. But from 3 minutes onwards, it grows and presents a fabulous variation of combinations between cymbals and fast bass drums. The bass is heavy again, not as much as in the 5th track, but enough to bring a consistent firmness to the rhythm sections. And in the right measure so as not to swallow the guitar and keyboards, which are brilliant in their combinations between short and long notes. At 6'30 a more melodic section comes, before the apotheotic ending. Iceberg had a meteoric duration, from 1974 to 1979. But released a lot of amazing music, on this record and on others. That's why I don't understand what are the reason(s) that they don't have a live record with songs from "Sentiments" and/or from "Coses Nostres". Even though they made a live effort entitled "En Directe", it has has new compositions that are not as brilliant as the two aforementioned discs (IMO). Indignant about this, I did a little research. I found, at least on youtube, a radio program showing songs from the band's show at the Teatro Calderón in Madrid. From May 1979. As they were promoting their last studio album, the good but not spectacular Arc-en- ciel, most of the songs are from that work. But, in addition, there's also "Sentiments", "Andalusia, Andalusia", "Canco per qualsevol orchestra", "Ones" (these two last ones from the official live), "Alegries de mediterrani" and (from "Coses Nostres ") "La flamenca electrica". I give "Sentiments" a 4.7 on a 5 star-scale.