EN DIRECTO

Máquina!'s second album is a rather different affair than the debut, but just as good in its own way . Almost two years had gone since the release of that groundbreaking (on a Spanish scale) album, and the two guitarists had gone and the drummer also. Leaving no solution for Batiste and Herrera rebuilding the group, they had to settle for different musical horizons even enlisting two German citizens as their brass section on top of the three newcomers.

Just as laden with energy as their debut album, this double vinyl is however quite different developing a more bluesy, funky, brassier sound not far away from Chicago Transit Authority's debut album but also maybe the funky War combo (remember them with Eric Burdon). The Hammond organ is still the centre of the band and one can feel that Herrera is maybe the main ingredient behind this machine! ;-) Tracks like the lenghty Chains (used a bit as a showcase for the musos to display their aptitude at their respective instruments) or heavy blues Time Is Over are major fun and have a real impressive sound (given what was probably amateurish conditions of then-Spain) and the other great blues (In F) track is full of solos that most fans love to die for. A superb, adapted and extended rendition of their first single Look Away Our Happiness is another great moment. The lenghty track called Sonata is definitely deceiving but in name only as it yet again another scoarcher that could be on any of the first five Chicago albums.

Not quite essential for the proghead, this is nevertheless a great album, which should please all 70's music lovers. Whatever happened to these guys after this is still a mystery to this writer.

Social review comments

Review related links

• Send comments to Sean Trane
• Report this review (#67928)
• Buy MÁQUINA! music online with PA partners
• Show all MÁQUINA! MP3/Stream
• Go to MÁQUINA! page for videos, full discography with ratings, reviews and much more
• Go to En Directo page for more details, where to buy and ratings/reviews
• Search the Forum for MÁQUINA! related discussions