MANTRA

...And all of the sudden comes an "OLE!" echoing from 33 years behind...

This band has a somewhat misleading name, as mantras are usually used as repetitive and mesmerizing chants in meditation and are associated with Indian music.

Anyway, what we have here is an amazing jewel lost in time and luckily found back more than thirty years later. And when it concerns time-travelling, if there is something that science (and science fiction too) taught us, is that one must not forget that in order to move forward (or backwards) in time, one must also move in space (Marty McFly wouldn't have gone too far speeding at only some lame 88 MpH, compared to the speed of the Earth moving in outer space).

Well, Mantra's long-delayed debut album would be proving otherwise, that time travel is possible without moving from wherever you are. The biggest proof is in the music itself: years have passed, and it's still deeply rooted in one of Spain's most notorious folk music genres: flamenco.

This record can be compared to another great Spanish band from the same years: Mezquita. Both bands' sound can be described as an excellent symphonic progressive rock with made by virtuoso musicians with a great jazz-rock background and lots of Andalusian music and flamenco influences in their sound, with its characteristic scales and the 12-beat rhythm patterns. The main difference between these two bands is that while the Mezquita sing a lot in their songs (and using the peculiar flamenco singing style, which sometimes can be really annoying), the Mantra guys only sing in one song, allowing them to shine perhaps a little more.

Despite some flaws in the production (perhaps more in the recording part than in the production one), Mantra's highly skilled musicians show their proficiency on their instruments in all the songs. The interplay/continuous races between the guitar and keyboards are the main attraction here, as they are incredibly entertaining, and meanwhile, the rhythm section anchors everything while playing at high speeds and counting all the 1-2. 1-2-3-4-5, 1-2-3-4-5 flamenco patterns.

After listening such a magnificent record, the fact that such an amazing musicians couldn't pursue their dreams back in the late seventies is kind of heart-shattering. All we've got left are the completely destroyed possibilites of an incredibly talented band to gain a place in the Valhalla of rock. At least this gem was discovered and now released for all of us to contemplate, behold and why not, kneel at, contrary to what the record company executives did at the time.

5 sstars, without hesitation. If you see it, take it home!

A few months ago I stumbled upon the Spanish website 5Lunas: "We focus primarily on music Made In Andalusia and, in a special way, Andalusian rock born in The Seventies, and current groups that follow in its wake." I took a dive into the Shop section, what a mouthwatering cascade of Rock Andaluz bands I noticed, old and new, so many I didn't know about. I ordered six interesting albums by six different bands, the only one that is on Prog Archives is the eponymous CD by Mantra (the recordings are from 1979). This CD was the #3 release in 2012 by the Asociacion Cultural Arabiand Rock, with great passion it is digging for never released early Rock Andaluz footage ('Colección Música Inédita De Rock Andaluz'), the other two are Khorus with Suite (1975) and Expression (pre-Mezquita) with El Esiabon Omeya (1972-1977).

During my first listening session I was blown away by Mantra, what an excellent exciting blend of Rock Andaluz and jazzrock.

1. Sanlúcar (5:10) : The first and final part feature a mellow atmosphere with soaring strings. In between very dynamic and powerful jazzrock with obvious Rock Andaluz hints (reminding me of Iman) featuring powerful guitar (including biting wah-wah) and spectacular Minimoog flights. This is embellished with string-ensemble and Fender Rhodes electric piano, and fuelled by an awesome rhythm-section, wow, more!

2. Bajo La Sombra De Un Ciprés (9:35) : From a mid-tempo with electric piano and clavinet in an Iman-like jazzrock climate to a slow rhythm with sparkling Minimoog. And from a long and moving guitar solo with howling and fiery runs to a Rock Andaluz inspired final part with amazing interplay.

3. Acantilado (5:36) : This track delivers sensational Jan-Hammer like pitchbend driven Minimoog flights, fiery guitar work, the atmosphere is very dynamic and propulsive, Seventies Al DiMeola comes to my mind, impressive! Remarkable is an interlude with powerful, slightly expressive Spanish vocals (not typical flamenco), the only track that contains vocals.

4. Sacramonte (11:06) : The long intro contains an atmospheric climate with Fender electric piano, volume pedal guitar play and synthesizer sounds. Then powerful and swinging Rock Andaluz like Iman and Mezquita, again the interplay and rhythm-section are amazing. The second part with fiery guitar and flashy Minimoog evoke Al DiMeola and Mahavishnu Orchestra, exciting jazzrock, what a skilled musicians.

5. Arco Iris (4:35) : First a swinging rhythm with strong interplay, then a slow rhythm featuring sensitive electric guitar work, blended with the soaring sound of the string-ensemble, and finally a powerful accellaration and a short drum solo.

6. Mantra (11:13) : Finally the epic titletrack, it showcases Mantra in its full splendor! The intro with twanging electric guitars, dreamy volume pedal guitar and synthesizer beeps and bleeps brings Xanadu by Rush on my mind. Then lots of shifting moods, sensational eruptions and breaks, topped with exciting work on Minimoog (like Jan Hammer), also duelling with a harder-edged guitar, and fuelled by a swirling rhythm-section. The climates range from typical Rock Andaluz to jazzrock inspired by Al Di Meola and Mahavishnu Orchestra. Finaly the music turns to mellow with a moving guitar solo, supported by the wonderful sound of the string-ensemble. Another dynamic and exciting composition!

As a Rock Andaluz aficionado since the late Seventies I can tell you that this Mantra album can compete with the best Rock Andaluz from the Seventies and Eighties. But I am also sure that it will please jazzrock fans, wow, what a gem, highly recommended!

P.s.: My new Rock Andaluz recommendations (all available at 5Lunas) are Anairt, Sherish, Qamar, Grande Cruz, Taifa, Arabiga and Zaguan.