The Prog Andaluz Aficionado Thread - Progressive Rock Music Forum

I would definitely like recommendations. Since there's no seperate genre for this movement, I'm not sure which bands belong to it. I would really appreciate it if you gave recommendations.

Mezquita is included Dutch Tony

Sean, one of the reasons that I am so determined to speak about the Prog Andaluz category is that it's the perfect way to discover this most distinctive blend of ethnic and progressive rock music on this planet! For example: if you like Triana and you want to discover this kind of music, then you can check out all those bands that are categorized in Prog Andaluz but now all the Prog Andaluz bands are put into categories that range from Eclectic Prog and Symphonic Prog to Jazzrock/Fusion, too divided so I will keep on asking for Prog Andaluz as a separate category

My recommended albums:

Alameda - Todas Las Grabaciones En CBS 1979-1983

- 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!!

AZAHAR - Azahar

- In the early Nineties I bought a few Sirius magazines (former Spanish progrock fanzine) in order to improve my poor school Spanish. I noticed an add in which the known Spanish proghead Angel Romero was offering his entire progrock LP collection. I got in touch with him (we shared a negative view on the awful tradition of bullfights!) and he explained that he was suffering from an increasing dust-allergy, how sad. I asked him for advise to buy Spanish progrock records from him. Nowadays AZAHAR’s second eponymous album is still one of my favorites, the debut-album was entitled “Elixer”. The difference between these two CD’s (released by Fonomusic) is that the second sound far more mature. The eight compositions (running time between 2 and 10 minutes) are more varied and elaborated. The guitarplay is sensitive featuring short but powerful soli and some exciting flamenco guitarwork. The Spanish vocals has a typical Spanish undertone, very warm and expressive. The keyboards sound lush and have a pleasant variety: strings, organ, synthesizers, clavinet and acoustic – and electric piano. The rhythm-section plays dynamic, Spanish people have a natural feeling for rhythm! This CD is a very fine example of the unique Spanish progrock: harmonic, melodic and tasteful compositions above self- indulgence.

CAI - Noche Abierta

- CAI was a harmonic Spanish quintet with Diego Fopiani Macias (drums/vocals), Jose A. Fernandez Mariscall (guitar), Francisco Delgado Gonzalez (guitar), Sebastian Dominguez Lozano (keyboards and piano) and Jose Velez Gomez (bass/vocals). They released three albums entitled "Mas Alla Mentes Diminutas" (’78), "Noche Abierta" (’80) and "Cancion De La Primavera" (’81). The second and third album are released as a 1-CD. The album "Noche abierta" (1980) is one of the gems of Spanish progressive rock. The seven tracks sound pleasant with warm Spanish vocals, tasteful keyboards (piano, strings, synthesizers and organ) and sensitive electric guitar. The integration of "the art of the flamenco" guitar gives this progrock an extra dimension. If you like melodic and tasteful seventies prog, embellished with some flamenco, this one is for you!

MEDINA AZAHARA - En Al-Hakim

— This my favorite studio-album from MEDINA AZAHARA, in my opinion their most mature, varied and symphonic effort. The opener “Al Hakim ... otro lugar” has that typical Morish climate, strong and expressive Spanish vocals and pleasant synthesizer flights (in the vein of Mark Kelly). The ballad “Otono” has become one of the ‘crowd-pleasers’: a slow rhythm featuring emotional vocals, tender pianoplay, bluesy guitar riffs and some fiery and howling electric guitar. Next is “Velocidad”, a simple but catchy up-tempo rock song delivering some fine synthesizer runs. On “La guitarra” guest musician Vicente Amigo (nowadays one of the leading flamenco guitarists!) enters the scene with a compelling acoustic guitar intro and then quick runs, accompanied by expressive vocals (this is the flamenco spirit) and later a fiery electric guitar and sensational synthesizer flights, what an exciting contrast with the acoustic flamenco guitar play! It’s bluestime in “El destino” but MEDINA AZAHARA adds an extra dimension by blending expressive flamenco guitar, moving mouth-organ, wailing Spanish vocals and harder-edged electric guitar, what an emotional experience, goose bumps! “Dejame vivir” (heavy electric guitar solo) and “Tal como es” (swinging piano solo) are two simple up-tempo rocksongs in the vein of “Velocidad”, tasteful but predictable. The final track “Desde Cordoba” features again the excellent Vicente Amigo on flamenco guitar, this time he delivers exciting duels with Paco Ventura’s hard-edged electric guitar, again goose bumps!

MEZQUITA - Recuerdos De Mi Tierra

— The album ”Recuerdos De Mi Tierra” from ’79 contains six inventive and compelling tracks with exciting interplay between electric guitar and synthesizer, strong and expressive Spanish vocals, the emotional flamenco guitar and some handclapping (palmas). This is certainly one of my favourite Spanish prog rock albums because the atmosphere has such a typical Morish and Andalusian undertone like early TRIANA.

ZAGUAN — Testigo Del Tiempo

- After new, splendid bands like Bijou and Senogul here is Zaguan. They are rooted in 1997 and started as a Triana cover band. If you listen to the vocals this is not a surprise, incredible how similar the singer sounds to the late Jesus De La Rosa who died tragically in a car accident early The Eighties! If I compare Zaguan their own compositions to Triana I analyse that Zaguan sound less symphonic (short compositions and a small range of keyboards) and more folky because of the more omnipresent flamenco guitar. That's also why I have Zaguan categorized as prog folk. The 11 songs on this CD are a very melodic and tasteful progressive blend of rock, folk and symphonic featuring strong and expressive vocals (but not that typical wailing of the flamenco singers), some fiery and howling electric guitar and fluent Hammond organ soli and lots of exciting flamenco guitar runs. I fyou like Rock Andalus, especially Triana, this great Spanish prog folk band is worth to check out, WHAT A MOVING EXPERIENCE!

IMÁN CALIFATO INDEPENDIENTE — Califato Independiente

4%20stars The Spanish progrock quartet Imán Califato Independiente has its origins at a convention, given by the meditation guru Maja-raj-ji, in the mid Seventies. Like genuine hippies, the musicians lived together in one house in El Puerto De Sta. Maria and eventually they founded Iman and in ‘78 they made this debut album, entitled Iman Califato Independiente, two years later followed by the LP entitled Camino Del Aguila. Iman also appeared on the Spanish compilation albums Rock Andalus (’94) and Duende” (’97, a 2-CD).

1. Tarantos del Califato Independiente (20:46) : The title points at a strong rhythm in the flamenco music. First a wonderful string- ensemble sound in a sultry atmosphere with twanging guitars and electric guitar play with a strong Morish undertone. Then lots of shifting moods with great guitar-synthesizer interplay (evoking Iceberg) and exciting soli on guitar and synthesizer, a piece with lots of percussion. The final part delivers a slow rhythm with a beautiful and very sensitive electric guitar solo, accompanied by a lush string-ensemble sound, goose bumps!

2. Darshan (8:30) : Again those wonderful strings, followed by great interplay between guitar and synthesizer with the support of a very adventurous rhythm-section. Next a howling guitar solo and an accellaration with fat, pitchbend driven synthesizer flights and a duel between guitar and synthesizer in a captivating atmosphere that blends Prog Andaluz and jazzrock.

3. Cerro Alegre (7:33) : The intro delviers fragile piano work and sensitive twanging classical guitar, then a swinging rhythm with sparkling piano and flamenco rhythm guitar. Halfway a fiery guitar joins, supported by a powerful bass and subdued harpsichord runs. Next a part with bluesy Fender Rhodes electric piano that gradually changes into an exciting interlude with a guitar solo that sounds like the Andalusian Carlos Santana (Caravanserai-era) and culminates in a swinging rhythm, Prog Andaluz meets jazzrock, what a dynamic and cpativating musical experience!

4. Cancion de la Oruga (5:32) : This is a beautiful piece that starts with dreamy twanging classical guitar, soaring keyboards and warm vocals, then a mid-tempo featuring fat synthesizer runs with a Morish undertone and propulsive percussion.

- This is a very exciting fusion of Prog Andaluz and jazzrock, highly recommended!

IMÁN CALIFATO INDEPENDIENTE — Camino del Aguila

4%20stars The Spanish progrock quartet Imán Califato Independiente has its origins at a convention, given by the meditation guru Maja-raj-ji, in the mid Seventies. Like genuine hippies, the musicians lived together in one house in El Puerto De Sta. Maria and eventually they founded Iman and in ‘78 they made a debut album, entitled Iman Califato Independiente, two years later followed by this second album entitled Camino Del Aguila. Iman also appeared on the Spanish compilation albums Rock Andalus (’94) and Duende” (’97, a 2- CD).

1. La marcha de los enanitos (10:30) : This album opens with a mid-tempo rhythm delivering strong interplay with a Morish undertone between electric guitar and synthesizer and propulsive percussion. Then an exciting build-up from a sultry climate to a gradually more dynamic atmosphere with mindblowing work on a fat sounding synthesizer and fiery guitar with howling runs, supported by a lush string-ensemble sound, very compelling, what a dynamic blend of Prog Andaluz and jazzrock!

2. Maluquinha (6:29) : In a swinging rhythm again we can enjoy the Andalusian Carlos Santana, accompanied by exciting percussion and a fluent synthesizer solo.

3. Camino del aguila (14:00) : The titletrack sounds very alternating with an awesome rhythm-section, great interplay between guitar and synthesizer (like Iceberg) and lots of interesting musical ideas, from a howling, Morish inspired guitar solo and a catchy rhythm with strong interplay between all musicians to guitar work in the vein of Steve Howe on Relayer (Yes) and a flashy synthesizer solo.

4. Niños (3:05) : A wonderful dreamy, quite melancholical piece, first with spacey keyboards, twanging Spanish guitar and warm vocals, then sensitive classical guitar runs, slow synthesizer flights and a lush string-enesemble sound, this is the mellow side of Iman and I love it too!

- Iman delivers a very exciting fusion of Prog Andaluz and jazzrock, highly recommended!

Edited by erik neuteboom - December 21 2007 at 17:26

Haha, I am the Symphonic Prog Expert but I am also an overlooked fan of electronic music, folk (Balkan, Latin-America, Greece, Indian raga, Caribean) and Heavy Prog

It's an ego-gratification too

!

Edited by erik neuteboom - December 21 2007 at 18:10

OK Sean but now seriously , I am curious which bands

that I described will appeal to you? Mezquita and Azahar?

Mezquita cd has arrived!

Andrea Cortese wrote:

Mezquita cd has arrived!

what did you think of it... GOD I love that album Clap

The Pedro and Micky Experience - When one no longer requires psychotropics to trip

micky wrote:

Andrea Cortese wrote:

Mezquita cd has arrived!

what did you think of it... GOD I love that album Clap

An excellent record but not all that impressive! (4 stars are surely well deserved).

Maybe my expectations were too high. BTW, it's a great improvement for my discography and prog-andaluz one of the best susprises of this year!!!

erik neuteboom wrote:

AZAHAR - Azahar

- In the early Nineties I bought a few Sirius magazines (former Spanish progrock fanzine) in order to improve my poor school Spanish. I noticed an add in which the known Spanish proghead Angel Romero was offering his entire progrock LP collection. I got in touch with him (we shared a negative view on the awful tradition of bullfights!) and he explained that he was suffering from an increasing dust-allergy, how sad. I asked him for advise to buy Spanish progrock records from him. Nowadays AZAHAR?s second eponymous album is still one of my favorites, the debut-album was entitled ?Elixer?. The difference between these two CD?s (released by Fonomusic) is that the second sound far more mature. The eight compositions (running time between 2 and 10 minutes) are more varied and elaborated. The guitarplay is sensitive featuring short but powerful soli and some exciting flamenco guitarwork. The Spanish vocals has a typical Spanish undertone, very warm and expressive. The keyboards sound lush and have a pleasant variety: strings, organ, synthesizers, clavinet and acoustic ? and electric piano. The rhythm-section plays dynamic, Spanish people have a natural feeling for rhythm! This CD is a very fine example of the unique Spanish progrock: harmonic, melodic and tasteful compositions above self- indulgence.

One of my favourite Spanish records. Highly recommended!

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

On about Mezquita. Well a great album indeed. Not at the level of Triana's debut but exciting.

This album has a lot of aficionados as I see and many prefer it to El Patio.