UNA HISTORIA

When I started working for Prog Archives early 2004, one of my main goals was to be an 'ambassador for less known progrock bands', especially for the wonderful but often overlooked prog from Latin-America, Japan, Italy and Spain. One of the few bands that can compete with the legendary symphonic rock from the Seventies is Triana (subjective..!), a Spanish band that speerheaded the Rock Andaluz progrock scene, rooted in the mid-Seventies. Triana blended flamenco (the ethnic music in Andalusia, Southern Spain) and symphonic rock in a very captivating, often compelling way featuring vintage keyboards, flamenco - and electric guitars and passionate Spanish vocals with that typical wailing undertone. For me Triana is a mindblowing musical encounter between the wealthy 'upper-stiff lip' world of Southern England (like Kent and Surrey) and the 'poor, emotional and primitive' world of the Andalusian gypsies, their cradle is Sevilla, one of the most gypsy districts is .. Triana, full circle!

This 2-CD compilation was the first that Spanish label Fonomusic released, to be followed by many during the years. It is a comprehensive one and contains many great songs from their very interesting period between 1975 and 1980, later Triana sounded more polished and predictable. If you are interested, please take a look at the reviews on this site about Triana, especially the albums El Patio and Hijos Del Agobio, to get an impression what this music is about. Although this is a good compilation, I would like to recommend the 2-CD/1-DVD box-set entitled Se De Un Lugar because for a few bugs more you have a good 2-CD compilation and an extra DVD featuring great footage from early Triana. It's up to you!