AZAHAR

No other country in the world delivers such a widespread blend of ethnic music (flamenco) combined with modern music (from rock and pop to jazz, psychedelia and symphonic rock) as Spain with the Rock Andaluz movement. The most legendary Rock Andaluz band is of course Triana that speerheaded the movement since the mid-Seventies, along other interesting bands like Mezquita, Cai, Alameda, Qualdalquivir, Medina Azahara and Iman. In this review I would like to focus on Azahar, one of the more Morish inspired bands (the southern part of Spain was occupied by the Morish for a long time).

Azahar released two albums, the debut-album was entitled Elixer, the second one Azahar, a bit confusing to name your second effort eponymous. But it's my favourite because it sounds more mature, and the compositions are more elaborate.

The album has 8 tracks, the sound is melodic and harmonic, often topped with the distinctive emotional flavour in flamenco singing, pretty expressive. The work on the guitar is moving featuring short but powerful soli, and some parts contain the exciting art of the flamenco guitar. The keyboards deliver a pleasant extra dimension, lots of variety with strings, organ, synthesizers, clavinet, and acoustic and electric piano. The rhythm-section is, as usual in Spanish prog, dynamic and powerful.

To me this album sounds as a fine example of the unique Rock Andaluz sound.

My rating: 3,5 star.

P.s.: Recently I stumbled upon a Spanish record label that releases Rock Andaluz reissues, and albums from new Rock Andaluz bands. I was blown away how many new Rock Andaluz bands this unique musical movement features, from Anairt, Grande Cruz, Sherish and Qamar to Taifa, Montoro, Arabiga, Mendigo and Saedin. I immediately ordered a serie of new Rock Andaluz, I hope to write about it on Prog Archives when one or more of these bands will be added (I am patient).