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Andrea Cortese View Drop Down

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Posted: October 31 2007 at 10:42

Finally, my copy has arrived!!!!!!!!!!!

Now I'm waiting for Hijos del Agobio...

erik neuteboom View Drop Down

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Posted: October 31 2007 at 12:28

That's good news Andrea, these albums belong to my Ultimate Progrock Album Top 25

How about the En El-Hakim by Medina Azahara review, I am looking forward to your opinion!

Andrea Cortese View Drop Down

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Posted: October 31 2007 at 14:58

erik neuteboom wrote:

That's good news Andrea, these albums belong to my Ultimate Progrock Album Top 25

How about the En El-Hakim by Medina Azahara review, I am looking forward to your opinion!

Well, En Al Hakim is a good album, especially for those tracks with spanish flamenco acoustic guitar and morish vocals which is simply superb

. Some people here were amazed by its sound.

On the other hand, the sound of the second and the third songs is a little bit too much polished but it's common for the eighties.

I'm curious to put my hands on their debut.

I have to say El Patio is superb. I don't know if it has to be called a masterpiece, maybe it's too soon for me to say that, but what I've heard sounds impressive, especially Se De Un Lugàr which is my favourite one and more symphonic.

I'm curious to listen to Hijos Del Agobio.

On about other bands, probably I will go for Guadalquivir or Imàn Califato...what do you suggest to purchase first?

P.S. Erik, have you had the opportunity to listen to Indexi's Modra Rijeka? It's simply wonderful especially for its peculiar rough symphonic sound and free/strong bass playing and soloing. A must have. I have fallen in love with progressive movement from (ex) Yugoslavia. You wouldn't imagine such a high quality!

Leb i Sol's Rucni Rad os also very interesting for symphomaniac 'cause it mix typical Mahavishnu aggressiveness within Camel melodic symphonic prog. The previous Leb i Sol 2 is also a miliar stone in that country prog scene.

...oh, oh, it's not the topic where to speak about that...

erik neuteboom View Drop Down

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Posted: October 31 2007 at 15:07

Andrea, good to read your enthousiastic words about Triana, I hope this will inspire the progheads on this site

Thanks for your recommendations, I will check out the bands you mentioned.

By the way, last week I wrote a review about the acclaimed album Voci by Luciano Basso, I am the first and only one who wrote a review while so many RPI fans are talking about it in the many threads about the RPI bands

But back to Prog Andaluz: I am delighted about the Alameda compilation and the Iman 2-CD, so compelling and so unique

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Posted: October 31 2007 at 20:53

Here’s OMNI, the current continuation-preservation of Prog Andaluz’s heritage:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vOXUn9oaLt4 &

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e6GTHSf-wKM

erik neuteboom View Drop Down

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Posted: November 01 2007 at 06:19

Thanks Cesar but to me the current Omni sound is more close to Seventies Camel than it has elements from Prog Andaluz.

Cesar, do you know or there is a DVD from that Prog Andaluz bands festival that took place one or two years ago, including bands like Cai?

Andrea Cortese View Drop Down

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Posted: November 13 2007 at 06:31

Arrived!!

Well, it's truly a more sad and dark orientated album as the (beautiful) cover itself.

Excellent at first listen, but let me the chance of more spinnings 'cause it's quite different from their debut...

I hope the new genre of prog andaluz will be soon welcomed here at Progarchives... I think it's possibile and highly recommendable due to the common peculiarities of that scene.

Edited by Andrea Cortese - November 13 2007 at 06:38

erik neuteboom View Drop Down

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Posted: November 13 2007 at 08:59

Well Andrea, I am glad you like the second effort by Triana, indeed more dark. About the categorie Prog Andaluz, I have never understood the objections, also because we still have Indo/Raga-rock on Prog Archives. But I am happy with this thread, thanks for your contributions, I appreciate this very much

And now I hope more progheads will follow your Prog Andaluz quest!

Andrea Cortese View Drop Down

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Posted: November 13 2007 at 10:14

Thanks Erik.

Now Im waiting for Tako's 1978 debut (from ex yugoslavia).

On about prog andaluz my next purchase will be the boxset of Medina Azahara's 1979-1982 Grabaciones (their first three albums...for 15 euros only it seems an advantageous purchase) or Alameda or Guadalquivir or Califato...who knows?

(1979)

(1980)

(1982)

BTW, this scene is prolific and particularly interesting for all the prog listeners.

P.S. how about Triana's third record Sombra y Luz? I know it's their last truly interesting album 'cause after that they changed to more commercial areas (and more wider success in Spain).

Edited by Andrea Cortese - November 13 2007 at 10:16

erik neuteboom View Drop Down

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Posted: November 13 2007 at 12:51

Sombra Y Luz has some very good moments but also some tracks that fail to keep my attention. Best buy is that 2-CD set with the DVD entitled Se De Un Lugar

The first 3 Medina Azahara albums for 15 euro's, that is really a bargain!

The Alameda 2-CD compilation is awesome, genuine

Prog Andaluz, highly recommended :

ALAMEDA%20Todas%20Las%20Grabaciones%20En%20CBS%201979-1983%20progressive%20rock%20album%20and%20reviews

Prog Folk
(Boxset/Compilation, 2003)
Avg: 4.00/5
from 1 ratings

ALAMEDA — Todas Las Grabaciones En CBS 1979-1983
Review by erik neuteboom (erik neuteboom)
Special Collaborator Symphonic Prog Expert

— First review of this album —

4%20stars Here is a 2-CD by Spanish progrock band Alameda featuring all the tracks from their four studio-albums, released between 1979 and 1983. If you are up to Spanish progressive rock, don't miss this excellent compilation, what an exciting encounter between progressive rock and flamenco, the ethnic music from Andalusia (the southern part of Spain). The 32 elaborate compositions sound very pleasant, melodic, harmonic and varied, from romantic and dreamy to bombastic symphonic rock or swinging jazzrock. The Spanish vocals are outstanding: powerful, emotional and that typical flamenco undertone (without the usual wailing experssion), this man gives many tracks an extra dimension! Alameda plays very professional: 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 want to discover the Spanish prog or you like Triana, Cai or Azahar, this comprehensive two set is yours!

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!!

Andrea Cortese View Drop Down

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Posted: November 13 2007 at 12:56

Yep,

the same goes for Guadalquivir and Califato. It is possible to purchase many records at the "bargain price of 15 euros for each compilation.

- Guadalquivir - Grabaciones 1978-1980

GUADALQUIVIR%20%28grabaciones%20%281978-1980%29%202%20CD

- Imàn Califato Indipendiente - Grabaciones 1978-1980

IMAN%20CALIFATO%20INDEPENDIENTE%20%28grabaciones%20%281978-1980%29%20CD

micky

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Posted: November 13 2007 at 12:59

Andrea Cortese wrote:

Arrived!!

Well, it's truly a more sad and dark orientated album as the (beautiful) cover itself.

Excellent at first listen, but let me the chance of more spinnings 'cause it's quite different from their debut...

I hope the new genre of prog andaluz will be soon welcomed here at Progarchives... I think it's possibile and highly recommendable due to the common peculiarities of that scene.

sounds like my kind of album... and I don't have that one Angry

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Andrea Cortese View Drop Down

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Posted: November 13 2007 at 13:17

Hi Micky. Well, Triana are great, their debut is highly recommendable!

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Posted: November 13 2007 at 13:21

I have the debut Andrea. .and it's fabulous.. .just never got to getting the 2nd album

The 2nd one there sounds like something up my alley

Hope all is well... don't see enough of you.

Clap

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Andrea Cortese View Drop Down

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Posted: November 16 2007 at 12:56

^^^

Hi Micky,

all is fine here. Exam days are coming....

Hope you and Raffa are fine too.

On about prog (symphonic) from Spain in general, I think this could be useful, even if there are bands that don't play andaluz prog.

29 votes

Canarios

"Ciclos"

Ariola | Si-Wan

1974 | 1992

"Ciclos" is probably the best cover of the Vivaldi's Four Seasons ever made. It makes a parallelism between the four seasons and the four stages of human kind history: from the creation to the future. But also describes the four stages of human life: born and childhood, youth, madurity and eldery. This is a masterpiece of progressive music, not only at a spanish level. Instrumentation is perfect, using the most technologically advanced instrument at that time: synths, sequencers, theremins, mellotrons, etc. It's a must of symphonic rock.

26 votes

Triana

"El Patio"

Movieplay | Fonomusic

1975 | 1989

Triana were not top class instrumentists, but they created an innovative style and beautiful compositions. Spanish prog of the 70's was very influenced by local folkclor. In Andalucía it resulted in a mix with flamenco music. The early fusion appeared like bands like Smash in the very early 70s, but was people like Triana who push this fusion into the charts. In 1975 with this historic record they created a unique album that succeeded joining a symphonism betwee Crimson and ELP with the flamenco feeling. They were the Andalusian Rock band with a most important presence and personality. In 1983 Jesús de la Rosa, keyboards, voice and leader of the band died in a car accident and they became a legend.

20 votes

Gotic

"Escenes"

Movieplay | Fonomusic

1978 | 1988

Gotic was a single-album band: this one. It has all the qualities and features of the catalan progressive: instrumental and with a strong jazz fusion component. Here, jazz-rock mixes with the progressive rock of bands like Camel in a masterpiece. Some call it the "Spanish Snow Goose". The leadership of the flute of Jep Nuix rules songs like "Escenes de la Terra en Festa i de la Mar en Calma" or "Joc d’Ocells". In others likeo "La Revolucio", "Dança d’Estiu" and "I Tu Que Ho Veies Tot Tan Facil" the influence of traditional catalan music is evident. The album ends with a perfect short theme in terms of an unforgetable melody: "Historia d’una Gota d’Aigua", with a constant crescendo plenty of feeling.

20 votes

Crack

"Si Todo Hiciera Crack"

Chapa | Si-wan

1978 | 1998

Crack were from Gijón, Asturias. This record is, undoubtly, one of the best spanish symphonic rock albums ever made. Their main influences came from bands in the Itailian progressive, like: Premiata Forneria Marconi, Locanda delle Fate, etc. Their music is full of the resource that synthesizers put on the hands of the musicians and for a remarkable flute sound. Also guitars are well positioned. The best of all are powerful themes like "El Descenso en el Mahellstrong", "Amantes del la Irrealidad" and the title track. The level is a bit lower with the balads.

14 votes

Bloque

"Hombre, Tierra y Alma"

Chapa | Zafiro

1979 | 1992

"Hombre, Tierra y Alma" is one of the most coherent and emotional symphonic rock evger made in Spain. Absolutely a must. While spanish progressive in the 70's was mainly influenced by jazz, flamenco and hard, Bloque and other bands from the north of Spain, like Crack, followed a more symphonic line, creating pieces of art like this historic album. It is a record full of power, twin lead guitars, mellotrons, choirs, poetry and everything you could expect from a pure symphonic rock concept. An album that can be compared with any other world-class band of this genre made by that time.

14 votes

Iceberg

"Coses Nostres"

Bocaccio | Actual

1976 | 1997

Every single minute out of its 48 are pure gold, where the electric guitar of Max Sunyer shines energic, creative and dynamic like few others. The bass is also groovy and the same applies to drums and keyboards. Iceberg was a luxury band with highly professional musicians. They started making symphonic rock but they turned to jazz-rock. Among the traks there's a small gem, like "Preludi i Record" that was very popular among the spanish proggers because it was the tune of a TV show and is great. Iceberg is a saucerful of surprises, plenty of strength, punch, intelligence, musicality and iinterpretative richness. Themes like "L'acustica" or "11/8" are examples of that. They were probably the best progessive rock band in Spain and probably this was their best album.

13 votes

Atila

"Intención"

BASF | Lost Vinyl

1976 | 1993/td>

"Intencion" consists of four songs where the guitar and moog work explore a variety of time signature and key changes throughout each song, trading licks, providing counterpoint and rhythmic underpinning during solos and so forth. I can't compare the moog style to anyone off the top of my head, except for perhaps the moog work in Mezquita or Crack, two other excellent Spanish symphonic progressive bands. The guitar influences range from David Gilmour to Carlos Santana to Andy Latimer to Jan Akkerman and beyond. Vocals can be found in one or two songs but not often and they aren't a detraction when present. Excellent symphonic that is particularly recommended to fans of the moog synth. Side two is a rework of the debut album, here titled as "El Principio del Fin." Starting with a Phantom of the Opera-like organ, the piece explodes into a Black Sabbath guitar riff before settling into an easy groove with moog, organ, fuzz guitar jamming, and drum solo. A must for progressive fans who like psychedelic sounds.

11 votes

Mezquita

"Recuerdos de mi Tierra"

Chapa | Zafiro

1979 | 1994

An excelent album of andalusian rock, very energic, plenty of rhythmic changes and with some calmed and melodic passages. This album by Mezquita is the most symphonic one from the so-called "Rock Andaluz", and the most progressive one, together with "Hijos del Agobio" by Triana. Good rhythmic base, complex compositions, and a powerful beat. Also flamenco fussion, jazz rock, and arabic sounds appear. The vocals are very appropiated for this sub-genre. Mezquita is pure symphony. The track "Recuerdos de mi Tierra" has passages where one can remind of Triana, Alameda, Cai, Iman, Medina Azahara, etc.

10 votes

Bloque

"El Hijo del Alba"

Chapa | Zafiro

1980 | 1994

The band from Santander at their best time released this record. They followed in the same line of powerful guitars, doubled phrases, guitar duels, and with the presence of those mellotrons, moogs, and all of what characterised the classic symphonic rock. Nevertheless, it did not reached the leavel of their "Hombre, Tierra y Alma", former to this one, in spite of the presence of gems like "Quimérica Laxitud", for example.

10 votes

Fusioon

"Minorisa"

Ariola | Ariola

1975 | 1997

Fusioon made an instrumental progressive plenty of tempo and key changes. Some bizarre, but interesting, vocal arrangements once in a while. The music is focused in the melodic guitar and keyboards, but there is always a touch of disonance and sharpness that provide a special touch to their music. Fusioon does not sound like any known reference, but Gentle Giant, Pulsar and other 70's italian touches can be identified. There is a interesting use of sequencers and weird guitar processors, providing a chilling athmosphere. The influence of Klaus Schulze or Tangerine Dream is also present here. Fusioon's records are very valued by collectors.

10 votes

Imán

"Califato Independiente"

CBS | Sony

1978 | 1997

Imán was an atypical band in andalusian rock, since although they had the unavoidable "accent" from andalusia, they did not follow the andalusian rock mainstream, but a more jazzy one (in the same line as other bands like Guadalquivir, for example). Let's call it andalusian jazz-rock, just to have a name for it. The four members of Imán were musicians of a very good quality and Manuel Rodríguez and Iñaki Egaña keep on working as professional musicans after Imán splitted. Both Imán records are of a similar quality and any of them could be in this position.

9 votes

Máquina!

"Why?"

Diábolo | PDI

1970 | 1993

Máquina! was one of the pioneer bands of the spanish progressive, still having their roots in psychedelic music, with long instrumental developments of electric fuzzy guitars and Hammond organs. Their only studio album, "Why?", was recorded in 1969 and it's a collectors' item, with a suite 25 minutes long, divided into two parts of 12 and 13 minutes (in the LP, it was splitted into the both sides) and two short numbers of 4 and 3 minutes. Occasionaly the music turns into too much derivative and experimental, losing the guiding line, specially in the long tracks. The CD version, edited in 1993 by PDI, contains extra tracks, but I don't know where they came from. Any idea?

9 votes

Iceberg

"Sentiments"

Bocaccio | Actual

1977 | 1997

7 votes

Numen

"Samsara"

Sacramento

1998

NUMEN achieved with thsi first record a work plenty of good taste and musical sensitivity, with rocker power and good arrangements in the prog vein. The first CD track, "Introitus", is a gem, a rhapsody with influences of the descriptive neoclassical composers. The record can be filed into the so-called neo prog, cause is very melodic and the tracks not too much complex. But behind this looking they hide a sophisticated harmony and arrangements. In addition to the basic line up, a number of important collaborations in flute, slide guitar, etc. were present. This album was selected by Musea as "Record of the Month" in October, 1998.

7 votes

Tabletom

"Mezclalina"

RCA

1979

This was the first record by Tabletom back in 1979. A first recording and it was for RCA!. This seemed to be an excellent point but the label didn't put much intereset in their own production and they just released 600 copies of the vynil, without any promotional support, becoming a collector's item. This LP ahs 3 song in side "A" and 2 in side "B": "Tipos duros", "Ininteligible", "Mezclalina", "Zero-Zero" and "La Guerra". Each song has its own history through time. Tabletom remains after 25 years and through different generations.

7 votes

Granada

"Hablo de una Tierra"

Movieplay | Fonomusic

1975 | 1990

Album of Folk Symphonic Rock with some roots in the spanish tradition. This way, Carlos Carcamo and Granada presented themselves like one of the pioneers of the spanish progressive scene of the 70s. Excelent album for a first one in a year when progressive and symphonic rock was emerging in Spain. Probably this is not their best album, but its audacity is remarcable. It has some tracks that should be not missed for every prog rock fan.

Edited by Andrea Cortese - November 16 2007 at 12:57

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Posted: November 16 2007 at 17:16

great list Andrea.. I have many of those.. but not all Angry

that will be the next area I really dive deep into Clap

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Posted: November 16 2007 at 17:26

by the way.... I do strongly recommend to any of our posters, who haven't heard it, that they check out Ciclos.

that is symphonic prog..... and a fabulous album..

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Posted: November 16 2007 at 19:11

micky wrote:

by the way.... I do strongly recommend to any of our posters, who haven't heard it, that they check out Ciclos.

that is symphonic prog..... and a fabulous album..

I had great expectations with this album. When, at last, I received quite expensive copy of the album, I was disappointed.

Music of Vivaldi's "The Four Seasons" is so bright and memorable.

Los Canarios, in my opinion, made it too long and extremely boring.

Maybe I don't understand something, but better check before buying this album.

P.S. Oh, it is appreciation thread, nevertherless I think some critics have the right to live.

Edited by NotAProghead - November 16 2007 at 19:52

Who are you and who am I to say we know the reason why... (D. Gilmour)

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Posted: November 17 2007 at 05:42

This is all very interesting stuff and another avenue I must explore. How easily available are these albums?

Erik - I haven't forgotten about your recomedation of Triana. I will have to get in touch with Hans at http://www.progwalhalla.com/ in the near future.

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Posted: November 17 2007 at 08:19

Paul, there is so much to discover in the exciting Prog Andaluz, it's really a very unique category with a very distinctive sound, a blend of the poor Gyspy flamenco players and the mid-upper class southern UK musicians, very captivating and lots of chemistry