RECUERDOS DE MI TIERRA

I recognize that this is a good album, perhaps very good, but personally I'm not able to get into it. Mezquita is just not to my taste. I have absolutely no trouble getting into music from countries other than my own, I love Italian stuff, Japanese stuff, and Scandinavian stuff. But for some reason I have more difficulty enjoying Spanish bands and I'm not exactly sure why, perhaps the Flamenco sound? Handclapping? Vocals? I don't know for sure. But I won't hold my taste against an obviously accomplished recording like this one.

Mezquita features emotional rousing vocals, good musicianship, and a very fever pitched pace of guitar and keyboard dueling. Nothing too soft or introspective here musically, this is music to bring out in the backyard and crank up for the barbecue. After a few beers someone will start dancing no doubt. Perhaps everyone!

I can't say I hear the Crimson or GG influences that others do but I do hear the YES influence primarily in the guitar. The playing in more than one song reminded me of Steve Howe with an obvious Spanish feel. The percussion is also quite impressive.

Personally I'll stick with Gotic. But if you like the flamenco sound and very lively Spanish feel you will likely enjoy this album a great deal.