30º ANIVERSARIO EN DIRECTO

In the exciting second half of the Sixties young Andalusian musicians who grew up with the traditional flamenco started to blend their roots with modern music, from jazz, blues and psychedelia to pop and symphonic rock. This cultural movement was simply named Rock Andaluz, but it turned out to be the cradle for the most prolific and widespread blend of ethnic and progressive music in Europe. Known bands are Smash, Triana, Cai, Alameda, Iman, Quadalquivir and Medina Azahara. One of the most fascinating examples of Rock Andaluz is the album Recuerdos Di Mi Tierra (1979) from Mezquita. A short biography.

The embryonal Mezquita is founded in 1970, on the square in front of the mindblowing mosque Mezquita in the Andalusian city Cordoba, under the name Expresion. Due to a wide range of reasons (from militairy to family duties) the band does not succeed to release an album. But in 1978 Expression transform into a new formation called Mezquita, they release two albums: the highly acclaimed Recuerdos Di Mi Tierrra (1979), and Califas De Rock in 1981, then Mezquita disbands in 1986. But in 2008 the former Mezquita band members decide to reunite, like many other classic Rock Andaluz bands (from Cai to Quadalquivir), only without Rafael Zorrila 'Peluca' who died in 2002. This reunion line-up features José Rafa Ros (guitar and vocals), Randy López Rojas (bass and vocals), Paco López 'Roscka' (keyboards) and Eduardo Viñolo (drums). The band is eager to perform their beloved Rock Andaluz on stage, this culminates in a live CD entitled 30º Aniversario En Directo, recorded in Cadiz (2009) and in their hometown Cordoba (2010). This CD includes 5 tracks from the first album, five tracks from the second album, and two previously unreleased studio tracks.

After a first listening session I am delighted about the inspired and powerful live performance by Mezquita. Especially the passionate vocals of bass player Randy Lopex (with that distinctive wailing undertone of the flamenco) and the sultry sounding (Morish atmosphere) fat Minimoog synthesizer flights are exciting features of the Mezquita sound. But I also conclude that the tracks from the highly acclaimed first album are more captivating, more in the vein of Morish influenced bands like Iman and Azahar. While the tracks from the second album sound more like Medina Azahara, solid and tasteful melodic rock, no more or less. My highlights.

Ara Buza : sultry synthesizer sound, powerful rock guitar, excellent vocals and the Morish sounding Ara Buza vocals, this adds a very special flavour.

Desde Que Somos Dos : awesome interplay, 'jazzrock meets flamenco' climate, and again passionate vocals.

El Bizco De Los Patios : a sultry synthesizer sound, powerful guitar and vocals, tight drums, excellent interplay guitar and synthesizer, topped with vocal harmonies, what an exciting sound!

The epic composition El Suicidio is my absolute highlight. First a powerful sound featuring a swirling organ solo with rock guitar riffs, wow! Then again that sultry synthesizer sound, in a mid-tempo, embellished with a fiery guitar solo. Halfway short Deep Purple-like (Child In Time) Heavy Prog eruptions, followed by a mindblowing vocal variation on Pink Floyd's Great Gig In The Sky, in the flamenco tradition, goose bumps! In the second part a spacey Minimoog synthesizer solo with a strong Arabian undertone and sensational use of pitchbend button, the melancholical climate matches with the dark subject. Finally a moving guitar solo, blended with those Deep Purple-like Heavy Prog eruptions, this is top notch Rock Andaluz!

Another very strong track is the titletrack Recuerdos De Mi Tierra. It starts with the sound of a Minimoog and church bells, then a mid-tempo with powerful guitar. Next lots of short shifting moods, embellished with awesome interplay, a fiery guitar solo, a slow and fat synthesizer sound, and topped with passionate vocals.

The final two songs are previously unreleased. Noche De Luna contains a bombastic sound with fiery guitar work, strong interplay, rock guitar, and an Arabian vocal sound. And Eso Es Vivir features a catchy beat, strong (duo) vocals, a moving guitar solo, a propulsive and dynamic rhythm-section, and an exciting break with percussion. This is great Rock Andaluz music and could have been a track on the praised first album!

Highly recommend for those who are into Rock Andaluz or want to discover this amazing musical genre.

P.s.: Recently I stumbled upon the Andalusian website 5Lunas, their slogan is 'Rock Andaluz: puro sentimento-rock con raices-hechas en Andalucia', this is the Holy Grail for me, wow! They support not only new Rock Andaluz bands (like Randy Lopez solo, Qamar, Sherish, Taifa, Arabigas, Anairt, Mendigo, Periplo, Grande Cruz and Vandalus), but 5Lunas also releases albums and unreleased recordings from Seventies and Eighties Rock Andaluz bands (from Cai, Mezquita, Iman and Guadalquivir to Mantra and Montoro), and early Spanish progressive rock formations (Storm, Khorus, Expresion), how interesting. Within a month I ordered two times, from the bunch of Rock Andaluz and Spanish prog I purchased unfortunately only Mantra and Mezquita are on Prog Archives.