COSES NOSTRES

ICEBERG were one of Spain's top progressive fusion bands. They put out about 3 albums in the seventies before quiting. "Coses Nostres" is their second LP, and it featured the beginnings of a more jazz-fusion type of sound. At this point, the band's sound still featured a strong European symphonic influence, yet the guys also seemed interested in spicing things up a bit with jazz-fusion. The fusion-chops, at this point, weren't as advanced as they would be on "Sentiments", but most of the musical passages seemed to want to reach a higher level of technical complexity. I've heard many folks complain about the sound-quality of the CD reissue. Although it's not as bad as the sound-quality of, say, the PABLO "El Enterrador" CD, some of the Moog-lines tend to get lost in tons of distortion(maybe 40-seconds total) towards the middle of the album. If you have problem with sloppy CD reissues, you might want to wait until "Coses Nostres" gets properly remastered. Overall, new Spanish prog collectors should start with "Sentiments" before checking out "Coses Nostres".

Finally one step ahead, closer to such Fusion stuff in the vein of "AL DI MEOLA" and "RETURN TO FOREVER" as well, and sometime in a more "progressive" mood, like in the album "Hymn of the Seventh Galaxy" by R.T.F.!! Entirely an instrumental album , this time you find some remarkable interplays with the guitar, but at the end you are in trouble when immediately you should like to listen to them once again, after the conclusion of the second side and you can't remember any music theme or melody, also after a repetitive listening... don't get me wrong, this issue is absolutely recommended, despite of finding some defects here, nevertheless - by comparing it to the best album by R.T.F. - ("Romantic Warrior"), the present issue can not stand in the same place!!

I play Iceberg and/or Mahavishnu Orchestra mainly when I feel down and I need with urgency to lift myself up!!........ they deliver for me all the time! Fantastic interplay of synth and guitar, with a superb bass/drum background.

This one will make any Fusion lover drool for more! This album has it all, creativity, musicianship, lengthy tracks, and stunning instrumentation, the only reason why I did not give it 5 stars is that the sound for moments tend to be lost, and the production was not the best one, but nevertheless, definitively a must for any serious prog-music collector and fan..... Highly recommended!!

Iceberg is one of the best prog acts ever in Spain's rock history. Heavily influences by the fusion trend of Return to Forever and Mahavishnu Orchestra, Iceberg manages to recycle their influences via the incorporation many folk textures in their music - in many places, among the solidly crafted solos and complex counterpoints, you can notice the presence of Catalonian folk and Flamenco touches in some specific melodic lines or harmonies. To a lesser degree, but also there to be easily noticed, there are some symphonic nuances a-la Camel cooking in some keyboard orchestrations and some guitar-keyboard double leads, but as it is, the jazz factor is the most prominent one. "Coses Nostres" is their second album, their first as an exclusively instrumental act - this work marks their maturity as a band, creating a milestone for Spain's fusion scene. These guys are monster musicians who can deliver their skillful wizardry in an intense manner: Suñer and Kitflus' interventions on guitar and keyboards, respectively, are both explosive and extremely polished, while the well-oiled functioning of Sancho and Colomer's rhythm section provides an infinite confidence to the band as a whole during its travels through the massive complexities comprised in their compositions and arrangements. The opener 'Preludi I Record' is a beautiful 2 minute tour-de-force that should captivate the listener right from the beginning with its catchy main motif and fluid counterpoints. Track 2 is a showcase for the band's superb ability to create excellent musical ideas and, ultimately, perform them flawlessly and elaborate on them inventively. Track 3 starts with a psychedelic ambience built on echoing shades of guitar and electric piano, soaring cymbal hits and soft random bass guitar picking; then comes the acoustic-based main theme, in which the acoustic guitar and the grand piano alternate the spotlight with an impressive sense of subtlety, in this way conveying a pleasant introspective mood. The following two numbers are more properly focused on the jazz rock trend with added folk-oriented melodic nuances: each individual member's skill gets quite evident, always in benefit of the band's overall sound: for these ones the melodic lines are more clearly outlined, making them, together with track 2, the most stunning pieces in the album (IMHO). 'A Valencia' brings back some of the introspectiveness we had previously found in track 3, although it feels less melancholy, incorporating a slightly uplifting spirit through the use of some occasional funky basis for the rhythm pattern: this one pretty much reminds me of Weather Report with a slight symphonic twist. The closure '11/8' is built on the tempo explicitly mentioned in its title: the opening drum solo announces the track's exulting nature. The display of technical pyrotechnics (always with good taste) serves as an effective epilogue for a genius album. "Coses Nostres" is, indeed, an outstanding Iceberg masterpiece, and what's more, an amazing prog masterpiece.

3,5 stars really!!!

Under this Mafiosi title comes one of the better jazz rock fusion albums from Spain (at least among the few I know), the second one from this mid to late-70's Catalan band. Gone is their frontman sax and singer Angel Riba and they are down to your standard prog quartet, but this hardly seem to stop them, quite the opposite, becoming entirely instrumental.

For the most part this album seems to be lost between Maha's Inner Mounting Flame and Santana's Caravanserai with some KB coming more from Weather Report and RTF or even Jan Hammer, but this is more due to the instruments chosen than the actual playing, although some guitars are a cross of De Lucia and Di Miola on one side and McLaughlin on the other. I think this sets you with a good idea of the sound of the album, if you want more get the album, you.....proghead! ;-)

The first side is really awesome in musical execution with some particularly astounding moments where you'd swear Nova (as well as its prelude) should be on Inner Mounting Flame or on Cobham's Spectrum, simply because the playing and writing are of the same quality. Acustica, as its names suggest, is much calmer and tamer (but valid only for the guitar since there are synths halfway through) although the incredibly high quality is maintained and the subtle flamenco and Catalan influences appear towards the very end. The remark that my colleague reviewer makes about the sound quality is unfortunately correct, although the first side of the record is relatively spared.

Kitflus brings us back to the Mahavishnu world and the second track and only congas are missing to take us into the Sahara Caravans of Santana. Flamenca Electrica is an aptly named track but is only taking the usual formula and adding some Andalusian feeling to it. Unfortunately, this is where the bad vinyl transfer to Cd gets irritating about the synth layers (and it gets worse in the following tracks). I assume this last comment because I cannot possibly conceived this was recorded so on the master tape and therefore think that they worked from vinyl. The last track is... you guessed it in 11/8 (which does not mean it was recorded on August 11, you wisearses).

Since this record only exist in CD form under this version, I knock off almost one star because of the inexcusable sound problems, which unfortunately does ruin the enjoyment of an otherwise superb record. Sounds a bit severe? Check it out for yourselves if you do not believe me!!! As soon as I find the vinyl or a re-issue, I will jump on it.

This band from Spain plays some incredible sounding Jazz / Fusion with some absolutely amazing guitar and drumming throughout this all instrumental album. The keyboards actually dominate the sound much of the time. Some good variety on this record as well.

"Preldi I Record" is a 2 minute intro track that gets us warmed up for what's to come. Very laid back and enjoyable song with synths and guitar leading the way. Some great bass lines as a Flamenco flavour joins in then back to the original melody. "Nova" ups the ante considerably. Lots of atmosphere early with electric piano and synths.The intricate drumming is great as the sound builds.The guitar is so impressive as well as the bass playing. Lots of tempo and mood shifts in this one. Outstanding track ! "L'acustica" is fairly haunting for the first 3 minutes then intricate guitar, synths and drums take over. Some nice piano melodies follow. Themes are repeated.

"Lad'en Kitflas" has electric piano and fast paced guitars until it all stops and some slower paced bass playing comes in. It is joined by drums and guitar as the fast paced guitar melody comes back. "La Flamenca Electrica" is a great tune.The guitar sounds incredible as bass comes in and intricate drum patterns. Again the guitar sounds amazing. Lots of synths too. So much going on at times. "A Valencia" is another favourite of mine. Keys to open as cymbals and guitar create a pastoral soundscape for 1 minute. Nice contrast throughout this song between the quiet and the loud passages. Check out the keyboards and drumming 6 minutes in. Fantastic stuff. The final song "11 / 8" opens with an impressive drum solo then the guitar comes flying in.The guitar is jaw droppingly good !

Hey, if your into Fusion this is a must. 4 solid stars.

This excellent Spanish four piece band delivers outstanding, very melodic instrumental music in the realm of the jazzrock along some fusion. You will be carried away by the seven dynamic compositions with lots of interesting musical ideas: fiery guitar, swinging bass, subtle Fender Rhodes electric piano and sensational Minimoog flights in Preludi I Record, a strong Andalusian undertone, captivating shifting moods and spectacular wah-wah guitar and dazzling Minimoog runs in Nova, John McLaughlin inspired acoustic guitar and swinging jazzy piano in L'Acustica, flashy synthesizer flights, fiery electric guitar in the songs and an amazing rhythm-section in the songs La D'En Kitflus and 11-8 and an exciting pitchbend- driven Minimoog solo in the mellow A Valencia. My highlight is the song La Flamenca Electrica (Prog Andaluz!): first soaring keyboards and strong clavinet runs, then a swinging rhythm with strong Andalusian undertones featuring spectacular work on guitar and keyboards. If you like jazzrock, this band should be yours!

This band from Spain playes a superb fusion jazz with a lots of guitars that interlude very smooth with the keys and drums. The second album by Iceberg released in 1976 named Coses nostres is a good one in every way but i think not their best. Anyway the jazz fusion elements are all over the album, pieces like La d'en Kitflus and A Valencia are stunning, well played and very skillfull.The intricate drumming is great with lots of tempo and mood shifts , in fact on all albums of Iceberg are this kind of moods. This album has it all, creativity, musicianship, lengthy tracks, and stunning instrumentation, the only reason why I did not give 4 or 5 stars is because after you listen a couple of times you can't remember any music theme or melody. Don't get me wrong this is a great album, with many stunning pieces but not as good as the next one Sentiments, witch is the best they ever done. 3 stars, that doesn't mean is not worth to have in your collection.

Switching from a symphonic prog rock band to an all-instrumental fusion group was a smart move on Iceberg's part, the vocals on their debut album being the weakest link. This time around they play a style of fusion reminiscent of the darker Mahavishnu Orchestra or Return to Forever tracks, with the keyboard work of Joseph "Kitflus" Mas being a major presence. Unfortunately, the synth sound used by Kitflus has not aged well, which makes it hard for modern ears to appreciate the technically proficient fusion on offer here. In addition to this, the usually competent playing is let down occasionally by slipshod songwriting - the second track, Nova, in particular seems to lack cohesion to my ears. Still, a solid three star album from a more than competent fusion outfit.

After their excellent debut Tutankhamon which was more symphonic than fusion, singer- saxophonist Angel Riba left the band and Iceberg stayed as an instrumental quartet. This line-up would remain stable until they broke up in 1980 when Kitflus and Max went on to form catalan fusion supergroup Pegasus together with Fusioon's drummer Santi Arisa and Gòtic's bassist Rafael Escoté. When losing Riba they shifted their style to fully-fledged jazz- rock-fusion, setting out to prove that had they been british or american, they would have been up there together with the likes of Mahavishnu, Return to Forever, Weather Report or Brand X.

This album and their next 'Sentiments' are clearly their best. Much fusion is about the soloing abilities of the band members which is fine, but a key ingredient to full success is not falling prey of only this aspect. Single-instrument improvisation solos need to be balanced by melodic lines, structure, dynamics, multi-instrumental phrases, rythmic diversity and other musical elements. Here is where 'Coses Nostres' and 'Sentiments' stand out, they have it all, the soloing is furious (especially by guitarist Max Sunyer) but there's so much more than that. 'Coses Nostres' is rawer than any of their following albums but it compensates by having deeper passion.

The short opening track 'Preludi i Record' (Prelude and Memory) holds to its name keeping a symphonic bridge to the previous album, then 'Nova' is a furious burst of Mahavishnu-like fusion with killer solos by Max and Kitflus.

'L'acustica' is soft, built on piano and acoustic guitar, for big part in a 13/8 beat, lovely. 'La d'en Kitflus' has Rhodes piano and electric guitar in a fast beat with alternating solos on guitar and keyboards and good dynamics with a calmer part on bass and a crescendo, wonderful stuff.

'La Flamenca Elèctrica' has one of the strongest melodies and an andalusian feel with those major chords shifting one semitone up and down. Their last nod to their symphonic past.

'A Valencia' is another very strong track starting soft but building up to hard fusion moments, and the same can be said of the closer '11/8' which features killer soloing in this time signature.

Possibly not a 5-star album from a total Prog-Rock point of view but undoubtedly a 5-star within the Jazz-Rock-Fusion environment.

The next album 'Sentiments' is technically better and more polished, but this one 'Coses Nostres' has more passion in it. I'm rating both of them with 5 stars so it's up to you which one you want to discover first.

If I had to choose one album that represented the sound of mid-1970s jazz-rock fusion, all that was really good about the direction Mahavishnu and National Health and RtF had taken, it could very well be this one. Rich with the liberated spirit of that time and the dedication to technical challenge, Iceberg's Coses Nostres nailed it. They understood what was possible, but more importantly, they knew exactly what they wanted and how to achieve it. It's not necessarily that they were better than the countless other fusion acts of the era (which they were), but rather that they captured the essence of the style, its muse, and its distillation better than most.

Non-fans of the genre will likely neither notice that or care much, as it should be. I can't blame them. "Fusion" as it had become was very often a cold, soulless, ironically commercial brand of music, distorted from its raw and fairly humble beginnings with Tony Williams, Herbie Hancock and John McLaughlin into a machine-like parody of itself more often to turn up on AM radio or piped-in at a dentist's office than as the fierce form it was capable of being. It's no wonder a band from Spain would end up keeping the flame of real fusion alive, at least in 1976. I haven't heard Tutankhamon and apparently they were more symphonic, which would put this follow-up in a parallel arc with the whole Phil Collins/Brand X/Genesis jazzrock period (of which much of this reminds, though I prefer Iceberg to any Brand X). Remnants of their symph offerings can certainly be heard in 'Preludi i Record' as it melds with 8&1/2-minute 'Nova(Musica de la Llum)', a textbook Fusion dig that has all the right moves and then some, with blistering volleys between guitarist Suñe and keyboardist Mas, Jordi Colomer's crisp, popping traps, and Primitivo Sancho's utterly reliable and comforting thud on the Fender J Bass. The pretty opening of 'L'acustica' speaks Hancock and continues issuing that master's voice throughout the piece. The familiar tone of a Rhodes piano backbones 'La d'En Kitflus' but is layered with numerous synths and the flavors of seventies tech-funk, as does hip rocker 'La Flamenca Electrica', too long and somewhat drowsy 'A Valencia', and sly beastie '1 1/8 Manifest de la Follia' ends things confidently.

Definitive, authoritative, authentic, Iceberg's Coses Nostres became, perhaps unknowingly, one of the most satisfying examples of, what was then, cutting edge modern music. Fans of Colosseum II, Brand X, early DiMeola, et al., would do themselves a favor to find this puppy. Good stuff, muchachos.

For their second album Iceberg had a completely turn both in the line-up and style of music proposed.Angel Riba left the group and the remaining quartet decided to move on as all instrumental ensemble.They traveled again to Madrid and recorded ''Coses nostres'' in just four days during September 76' at the Kirios Studios.Even a single was released to promote the album, containing ''Preludio'' along with a shorter version of ''La flamenca electrica''.

Musically the mixed bag of sounds presented on ''Tutankhamon'' was a thing of the past.Iceberg focused on creating technically compentent, at times virtuosic and irritating Progressive Rock with strong Jazz and Spanish Folk influences, not far from the sound of GUADALQUIVIR or IMAN CALIFATO INDEPENDIENTE.Most of the tracks are long with plenty of shifting moods, led by the soaring synthesizers and the electric piano of Josep Mas and the sharp, jazzy guitars of Sune.The spanish sounds are easily recognizable throughout the release, as ''Coses nostres'' contains tons of Latin vibes in its solos and melodies.The performances and arrangements are well-balanced, ranging from rich and incredibly dense musical ideas to softer moments with a more Jazz- or Acoustic-oriented sound, lacking a proggy flavor.Equally, the atmosphere of the album goes through dreamy and sensitive textures to more cold and technical soundscapes.However a very sterile production along with the somewhat thin synthesizer sound prevent the album from being a true must-have.

Nice, elaborate and captivating instrumental Prog/Fusion for all lovers of the style.Try to skip the disadvantage of the mediocre recording quality and focus on the great musicianship, you are sure to enjoy this album a lot more.Recommended.

The sophomore effort of eclectic prog from these still-green yet maturing artists from Barcelona.

1. "Preludi I record" (2:14) sounding more like a Journey or schmaltzy FOCUS song of the Mother Focus period, there are even West Side Story references to what feels like anthemic music. Weird! I'm not even sure I would call this Jazz- Rock Fusion! (4.25/5)

2. "Nova (musica de la Llum)" (8:56) music that is both cinematic and proggy enough to warrant comparisons to bands of the time like SANTANA, YES, and even Todd Rundgren's UTOPIA. Nice drumming display (if a bit sophomoric) in the fifth and sixth minutes. They're trying so hard to be top-tier prog--or J-R Fusionists--but are just not there yet. (17.5/20) 3. "L'acustica (referencia d'un canvi interior)" (9:10) opening with a sound palette and choatic playing style that reminds me of the early songs and albums of GONG, NOVA, and STEVE HILLAGE. At 1:45 a new motif starts with some out-of-tune reverb-guitar arpeggi and electric piano notes. At 2:45 the full band finally comes together into a gorgeous space-proggy motif that reminds me of one of the early Canterbury artists (like EGG) wherein acoustic guitar and piano take turns soloing over The music and performances are so simplistic compared to what will come ahead on Sentiments and Arc-en-ciel! And the sound engineering is awful compared to what's ahead. In the end this is a pretty prog song showing a band of ambitious young musicians on the rise. (17.75/20) 4. "La d'en Kitflus" (6:49) despite the cheesy synth strings and Fender Rhodes play, here is the first song that begins to encroach the possibilities of Jazz-Rock Fusion--though there are just as many symphonic elements employed: It reminds me of early FOCUS. Some very impressive guitar and synth synchronized runs here and there! The lumbering bass-centric motif in the fourth and fifth minutes is as mystifying as it is cheesy. Again: some brilliant ideas that the band (and producer) are just too young and inexperienced to turn into fusion (or prog) gold. The skills are impressive but they're still learning how to best display and express them. (13.125/15)

5. "La flamenca electrica" (5:56) sounds like a continuation of the previous song; as if the band is using these song ideas to figure how to best express their talents instead of trying to make the composition their primary focus of their expression. Interesting and very skillfully layered but lacking the sounds from their instruments as well as the engineering acumen (or equipment) to pull off some great sound. (I'm often wondering if these were demos that never reached the finishing/polishing stages.) Again, great skills in development and aspiration; they're just not there yet. (8.75/10)

6. "A Valencia" (8:45) a song that seems to be based on working on the mastering of a borrowed riff: like any student of classical music, you work with études and other practice vehicles in order to perfect your chops as well as your musical foundations. That is exactly what this song feels like--especially with its "Never Been Any Reason" HEAD EAST sound palette. There's even a couple more styles to work on in successive motifs within the song. Nice to hear Jordi's drum skills put on full display in the final motif. (17.25/20)

7. "11/8 (Manifest de la follia)" (6:54) the first of the band's songs on which I've heard a little of the Latin flavors that will continue to grow and take over their playing sound and style. Definitely a song reaching for RETURN TO FOREVER territory--and almost successfully doing so! You go, Guys! You'll get there! (13.375/15)

Total Time: 48:44

The band has definitely not evolved into its masterful RETURN TO FOREVER sound nor the incredible cohesion and synchrony of Arc-en-ciel yet; the band's engineering, compositional, and performative skills are just not up to the speed and skill level necessary to pull off those next couple albums. Give 'em a year!

B/four stars; an excellent tier-two contribution to the lexicon of progressive rock music from a band that is still finding its way, still experimenting with its preferences for style and sound (as well as still growing their skills). It's worth listening to, but if you want the peak of this band's output, seek out 1977's Sentiments or 1978's Arc-en-ciel.