MEDINA AZAHARA [AKA: PASEANDO POR LA MEZQUITA]

This was Spain's MEDINA AZAHARA's debut released in 1979 surprisingly the same year MEZQUITA released their debut. What a double bill that would have been! Two hard rocking Spanish bands with incredible vocalists and both albums have but a touch of the Flamenco thing I'm not that into. Tough to pick one over the other although MEZQUITA's is possibly proggier. Still I rate them both highly for that year. We get plenty of synths and keyboards in general although the guitarist and the vocalist steal the show here. The bass is very upfront the way I like it as well. This has been an absolute pleasure to listen to, especially those first three tracks.

"Paseando Per La Mezquita" was love at first listen and my favourite off the album. The guitar is raw as bass, drums and keyboards kick in. So good! The guitar starts to solo over top at 1 1/2 minutes. A calm 2 minutes in to a drifting psychedelic vibe as the vocals eventually join in. The guitar replaces them but not for long. The guitar is back as the vocals step aside to the end.

"En La Manana" opens with cymbals as the bass joins in then some raw guitar as drums and a full sound follow quickly, synths too. The vocals are next before a minute. Great sound here. The vocals and guitar trade off then we get some flamenco guitar and percussion before 3 minutes to end it.

"Haciati" has this relaxed guitar and percussion as synths then bass join in. Spacey synths come in over top then drums a minute in. A new sound 1 1/2 minutes in then the vocals return after 2 minutes. Love those passionate vocals. Catchy as well. The guitar starts to solo before 3 1/2 minutes as the vocals step aside. Nice. Vocals return a minute later but the guitar ends it.

"Si Supieres" opens with synths as drums and multi-vocals join in. Guitar and bass as well. This is kind of melancholic. The vocals step aside before 1 1/2 minutes as the tempo picks up briefly. Almost spoken vocals follow and the bass is upfront. The guitar starts to solo as the vocals stop. A calm with synths after 3 minutes as the vocals return. Themes are repeated.

"Busco" opens with the synths swirling as drums and some aggressive guitar join in. Nice bass here as well and the vocals join in before a minute. Some flamenco guitar is added. The guitar solos before 2 minutes as the vocals stop but they return after 2 1/2 minutes as themes are repeated. "Amiga" opens with synths along with drums in this dramatic intro. It does settle some. The tempo picks up 1 1/2 minutes in with the guitar helping out. Nice bass here as the vocals and guitar trade off.

"Se" opens with pulsating keys as outbursts of power come and go before it settles in. The guitar and bass are excellent here. Synths will come and go. Check out the bass solo after 2 1/2 minutes. Oh my! Vocals 3 minutes in with the guitar lighting it up. "Recuerdos Delayer" starts out with relaxed guitar and spacey synths before the guitar and drums kick in around a minute. Vocals after 2 minutes and they will come and go as will the guitar ripping things up. A really good closer.

Highly recommended Spanish Prog right here that rocks hard with killer vocals. My kind of music.