TEMPESTA

Vintage were a Catalan band, hailing from the city of Reus and born out of the ashes of a group called Sklat, in which keyboardist Carles Fernandez, lead singer Esteve Rodriguez, bassist Oscar Gomez and guitarist Eduard Bernerd played tohether.They started as a Pop/Ska band, but they soon transformed into a Prog Rock band, recording the demo ''Abisme'' in 1994.After some gigs in several festivals and despite recording a second demo (which was never released), they disbanded in 1996.Four years later they reunited as Tempus Fugit, but tensions between the members led to picking up the former name and a new drummer in 2002, Abel Benito, this formation released the band's only album ''Tempesta'' in 2003 on Valle Music.

With this name you should expect a sound full of 70's influences and a old-styled production, things are partly so in this effort by the Spanish band, which contains an omnipresent organ along the lines of PETER BARDENS, but other than that the music is pretty fresh, definitely drawing inspiration from legendary names of the 70's, but still maintaining a modern atmosphere.Their sound was a quite laid-back Prog Rock with strong CAMEL influences, symphonic textures and discreet psychedelic overtones,a bit like compatriots NEVERNESS and ONZA, based on piano, organ and melodic electric guitars with rare instrumental explosions and lyrics in Spanish/Catalan.The general rule of an album is again present in yet another prog disc, the longer the tracks, the more progressive the structures, because the short pieces are pretty rockin', instrumentally efficient, but not progressive at all.Instead you can listen to some interesting ideas on the longer cuts with the guitar and keyboards interplays in evidence, the melodious themes come and go, including a strong CAMEL vibe with all these light jazzy breaks and the analog organ waves, moreover the instrumental work is a bit more extended here with a few furious deliveries.Production is bearable, but the vocals are rather colorless, despite the often pretty poetic approach.The melancholic and symphonic ''Per que te'n vas anar?'' is the best number on the album, excellent guitar work throughout, supported by nice orchestral ambiences.

A few years on Vintage starting working on a new album, while the kept playing live.In 2007 only Carles Fernandez, Esteve Rodriguez and Oscar Gomez appeared as the remaining members, but towards the end of the decade no further updates have been revealed by the band.

CAMEL-influenced Spanish Prog with a light Latin touch.Smooth musicianship with cool organ work and some emotional guitar solos, warmly recommended for all fans of well-crafted, elaborate Progressive Rock.