ROCKANDALUS

Last week I started a topic on the Forum entitled "Spanish Prog!". After a slow start it was visited very well and I got many pleasant reactions, even from Spanish progrock musicans! Most of them hailed the unique and captivating sound. For me it is obvious that the Spanish progrock is the most prolific, distinctive and exciting blend of ethnic music (often the Andalusian flamenco) and progressive rock in the world. It emerged in the second half of the Seventies, speerheaded by the legendary Triana. This review is dedicated to all those progheads who appreciate or want to discover the Spanish progressive rock

This CD compilation is a perfect introduction, it contains 16 tracks from 5 known bands: Alameda, Medina Azahara, Iman, Cai and Guadalquivir. The lion's share is by Alameda (6 songs). In general they sound a bit sentimental featuring romantic violins, tender piano, flamenco guitar and almost tearjerking vocals. One of the best compositions on this CD is also by Alameda, it's titled Amanecer En El Puerto and contains beautiful, omnipresent keyboards and strong, moving vocals. Another good track from Alameda is Al Caer with its sultry, typical Morish atmosphere.

A very known band is Medina Azahara, the successor of the legendary Triana but more harder-edged and less flamenco inspired. On their three contributions La Esquina Del Viento, Paseando Por La Mezquita (great guitar riff that blends hardrock and flamenco) and Andalucia they deliver an enthousiastic approach with catchy rhythms, Mark Kelly-like synthesizer flights, powerful, often emotional vocals and pleasant variation.

From Iman we got also three songs: the beautiful acoustic Ninos (from their debut-CD released by Musea), Tarantos (wonderful floating guitar sound) and Cancion De La Oruga (very warm and pleasant climate).

One of the finest blends of flamenco and progrock is from Cai on the track Noche Abierta: a wide range of keyboards and exciting flamenco guitar work. Their other song Sone Contigo delivers strong, melancholical vocals and senstitive electric guitar.

Finally there is Quadalquivir with their powerful and dynamic jazzrock-oriented progrock sound. The interplay is great, the keyboard runs are impressive and the guitarplay is excellent, here is the Andalusian Carlos Santana!

THIS IS ESSENTIAL SPANISH PROGROCK, WHAT A MASTERPIECE!!