DUENDE ELECTRICO

Last week a read a topic in which somebody was wondering why there were/are so few progrock ideas from Spain. Well, this 2-CD set is a perfect introduction to the wonderful and exciting world of the Spanish progressive rock, loaded with great progrock ideas! The Spanish word 'duende' is used in the art of the flamenco, it pointed at the extraordinary moments when a flamenco artist has total communion with the audience. These moments are rare but very special, often accompanied by "ole's" (this has nothing to do with the awful and cruel bullfights!). On this 2-CD set you will find lots of duende between flamenco and progrock, I compare it with the unique and compelling blend of folk and progrock from Los Jaivas!

On CD1 there is a lot of variety from bands and musicians, the songs are recorded between 1975 and 1994. SMASH delivers a powerful blend of rock, blues, flamenco and Sixties (Stones, Yardbirds) featuring fiery electric guitar and typical Spanish vocals. ICEBERG, IMAN and GUADALQUIVIR make strong and captivating symphonic jazzrock with a Morish undertone and great interplay between guitar and kebyoards, supported by a dynamic rhythm-section. GUALBERTO plays a flamenco guitar piece entitled "Tarantos para Jimi Hendrix", it sounds as an exciting blend of rock and flamenco featuring violins and electric - and acoustic guitar. Another good track is "Al Andalus" from Spanish rock legend Miguel Rios: it contains a typical Morish atmosphere, distinctive vocals from Miguel Rios and a swinging and catchy rhythm. Of course Spanish most pivotal progrock band TRIANA is included, they play "Quiero contarte" featuring wonderful melancholical vocals and compelling progrock. The track "Aires de la Alameda" from ALAMEDA contains strong Spanish vocals and wonderful piano, it's typical 'Rock andalus' just like the final song "Hablo de una tierra" featuring a very moving duet from the violin-Mellotron and flamenco guitar!

CD2 contains songs from bands and musicians that are recorded between 1986 and 1996. MEDINA AZAHARA plays heavy progressive with echoes from Marillion, the track "Paseando por la mezquita" is their most Morish/flamenco inspired and sounds powerful and moving. PATA NEGRA (featuring the Amador brothers) plays an exciting blend of rock, blues and flamenco on acoustic guitars. RAIMUNDO AMADOR is also included with the band ARRAJATABLA, they deliver another exciting blend of progrock and flamenco with excellent electric guitar work. A known new band is KETAMA with their strong blend of pop, rock and flamenco featuring typical Spanish vocals. A fine surprise is the music from (again) RAIMUNDO AMADOR in "Ay que gustino pa mis orejas", he plays an unique mix of Bob Marley inspired reggae (with organ and typical rhythm-guitar) and flamenco, very swinging! Another known new band is MANTECA, included with the track "Tarila": a fusion-like mix of flamenco guitar and jazzy piano and saxophone. The final song is from DIEGO THE MORON, he is joined by members from GRANADA, the composition "Despertar (a 'rondena')" delivers a great blend of flamenco guitar and lush keyboards, typical 'Rock andalus'.

THIS 2-CD SET IS A PERFECT INTRODUCTION TO THE EXCITING WORLD OF THE SPANISH PROGROCK!

In fact this comprehensive 2-CD (including an informative 16-page booklet) is a captivating journey to the often overlooked but very interesting world of Spanish progressive rock, with the focus on Rock Andaluz, the unique blend of progressive rock and ethnic Andalusian flamenco. The variety is incredible, from Sixties rock inspired Smash and legendary flamenco-symphonic rock band Triana to Nuevo Flamenco bands like Ketama and Manteca. But also a few highly adventurous musical projects, like Lole Y Manuel, so creative and emotional Rock Andaluz!

CD1:

1. El garrotin / Smash : Late Sixties UK rock meets Spanish flamenco featuring powerful Spanish vocals, flamenco rhythm guitar and raw, distorted electric guitar.

2. La flamenca electrica / Iceberg : Outstanding swinging jazzrock with lush vintage keyboards (clavinet, Moog, Fender piano, string synthesizer) and awesome interplay, top notch Rock Andaluz.

3. Quiero contarte / Triana : A mid-tempo with flamenco rhythm guitar, wonderful flamenco inspired vocals and moving electric guitar, blended with delicate Fender electric piano.

4. Castrelos / Secta Sonica : Impressive swinging jazzrock with electric piano and conga percussion.

5. San Jose' de Arimatea / Veneno : Three flamenco guitars sounding as a fusion between jazz and flamenco, topped with excellent vocals.

6. Tarantos / Iman : Awesome blend of a flamenco rhythm and jazzrock with lush vintage keyboards, flamenco rhythm guitar and Santana-like sensitive guitar, one of the highlights on this compilation!

7. Tarantos (para Jimi Hendrix) / Gualberto : An exciting musical encounter between classical (beautiful violin play), rock (raw and fiery electric guitar) and flamenco (rhythm and palmas).

8. Al Andalus / Miguel Rios : A compelling example how Arabian music influenced flamenco featuring Morish sounding violins, propulsive ethnic percussion and expressive vocals (the climate reminds me of Kashmir by Led Zeppelin).

9. Baila gitana / Guadalquivir : Swinging jazzrock with a flamenco atmosphere and soli on saxophone and electric guitar.

10. Todo es de color / Lole y Manuel : One of the Rock Andaluz gems on this compilation with wonderful passionate female vocals and flamenco guitar (by Manuel Molina from legendary Smash), topped with majestic Mellotron drops, goose bumps!

11. Aqu' y ahora / Goma : A dynamic rhythm-section with fiery electric guitar and saxophone, the King Crimson avant-garde hints are obvious.

12. Aires de la Alameda / Alameda : A great example of the unique Rock Andaluz with flamenco guitar, sparkling piano, soaring strings and wonderful, a bit melancholical vocals, for me the Spanish answer to Italian progrock legend Francesco Di Giacomo.

13. Hablo de una tierra / Granada con Manolo Sanlucar : The first part delivers majestic Mellotron violins, first blended with flute and then with flamenco guitar, flamenco meets The Moody Blues and Camel! The final part sounds like a tribute to Paco De Lucia, the guitar work is in the vein of his worldwide known composition Entre Dos Aguas, very exciting Rock Andaluz!

Disc 2:

1. Paseando por la mezquita / Medina Azahara : A live version from the 'Rock Andaluz anthem' featuring a propulsive rock guitar riff, a tight beat and cheerful synthesizer flights, topped by strong, flamenco inspired vocals and varied guitar play (from moving to metal), wow!

2. Rock del cayetano / Pata Negra : Two acoustic guitarists who blend flamenco and rock, topped with strong vocals, what an exciting blend of skills and emotion.

3. Tu mirada / Cai : A swinging rhythm with beautiful vocals, sparkling synthesizer runs and a sensitive electric guitar solo.

4. Sole' del tio raimundo / Arrajatabla : Nuevo Flamenco with the Rock Andaluz guitar veterans Raimundo Amador and Luis Cobo Manglis delivering a pleasant blend of rock and flamenco, topped with emotional flamenco inspired vocals.

5. 'Ay, morena! / La Barbera del Sur : Nuevo Flamenco with a modern sounding blend of flamenco and rock, the colouring is very tasteful featuring violin, percussion and saxophone.

6. Me estoy quitando / Tabletom : Eighties Spanish prog band returns to the scene in the Nineties with a swinging blend of jazz, rock and funk, expressive vocals and powerful saxophone.

7. La pipa de Kif / Ketama : Nuevo Flamenco with a fresh blend of flamenco, rock, funk and fusion, topped with strong vocals and an exciting break with propulsive Afro-Caribbean percussion.

8. Quitate la bata / Kiko Veneno : A slow rhythm with a tight beat, supported by powerful vocals and rock guitar (including subtle fiery runs).

9. Ay que gustito pa mis orejas / Raimundo Amador : Another presence of this prolific and creative veteran, now with a surprising reggae climate and lots of brass.

10. Tarifa / Manteca : Nuevo Flamenco with a swinging rhythm and varied instrumentation (piano, saxophone, trumpet) and strong vocals.

11. Echale, echale /Martires del Compas : Another swinging rhythm on this compilation, with a strong flamenco atmophere featuring sparkling flamenco guitar, along cajon and palmas, the percussion is exciting.

12. Despertar (rondea) / Diego de Moron : The longest track on this compilation (almost 8 minutes), we can enjoy an unique blend of flamenco guitar and the sound of vintage keyboards, especially the string synthesizer, what a captivating musical encounter between flamenco and symphonic rock!

Highly recommended to those who want to explore the captivating world of the Spanish prog and Rock Andaluz. Another good 2-CD compilation is Hijos Del Agobio Y Del Dolor (including a docu DVD).