DÍAS DE LUNA

As a fan from Spanish flamenco inspired band Azahar I was curious to their offshoot named Azabache. After a first listening session I concluded that the music has echoes from Azahar but more polished and a less Spanish flavored atmosphere. In fact I was a bit disappointed but when I gave it another chance, I started to appreciate it more and more. The compositions sound melodic and often accessible but the arrangements are very tasteful with beautiful colouring of the keyboards (piano, lush strings, short synth soli and guitarwork (some great howling soli). The vocals are disctinctive, sometimes a bit high pitched but they sound warm and inspired. The 'magnum opus' on this CD is the composition "Algun dia" (7.22): lots of changing climates (from mellow acoustic guitars and swinging to bombastic and propulsive with echoes from "The gates of delirium" from Yes), excellent guitar soli (from bluesy and rock to fiery). A WONDERFUL AND ELABORATED PROGROCK GEM FROM SPAIN. By the way, I'm glad that Prog Archives eventually has taken time to include bands like Azabache because they deserve a place on this progrock site more than Talk Talk, Captain Beefheart or Radiohead. And now I'm waiting on Alameda, Diego De Moron, the Malibran DVD, Maury E Y Pronomi, Distilleri Di Malta, Dr. No.....