BLOQUE

Spanish band Bloque's first album was quite a solid record in terms of guitar-dominated melodic rock but not to be compared with their second one for example exhibiting much more resemblance with 70's Italian progressive rock acts like PFM. First track "Undecimo poder " could be described more or less as plain energetic guitar-dominated hard rock though having as well some nice Hammond organ sound. "Albelardo y Eloisa" is mostly kept in a mellow and romantic vein with atmospheric keys and a blues-tinged guitar before it starts rocking off towards its end. One could think of some earlier, more blues-inspired Floyd work as a reference point. "Salvacion por la musica" is a rather short instrumental piece mainly dominated by keyboard playing reminiscent of some of Emerson's solo works. "Joven levantate" is actually the first really interesting track in terms of Prog on here and a really well-done pleasant song with excellent interplay of guitar, bass, keys and drums. Vocals which are obviously presented by several singers and in Spanish language throughout the album are by the way very much appealing. "Consultando el tarot", the longest track and an all instrumental is after the previous one another highlight of this overall rather weak album. It's offering great keyboards with lots of rhythm changes and nice sound effects. After three very short rather unspectacular tracks, two of them being instrumental we get to hear "La noche del alquimista" offering some excellent electric guitar and bass play slightly reminiscent of country fellow band TRIANA. Last one "Conociendo a Abraxas" is the most chaotic and weird sounding one with some strange synth effects,mouth organ, awesome guitar/bass play and some furious vocals. This one is certainly another highlight and saving this album from being considered as one "for completionists" only.

Overall this debut is for sure not an essential addition for any Prog collection but still a fairly good one and might be interesting for those fellows oweing already their later releases.

2.5 stars actually...

Despite being around since 1973 and having a good live activity,BLOQUE didn't release anything until 1978.The band got together in Santander under the forces of bassist Luis Pastor, guitarist/vocalist Juan Jose Respuela, drummer Francisco Baños and guitarist/vocalist Sixto Ruiz, but it was the arrival of keyboardist Juan Carlos Gutierrez, which gave the band a richer and more elaborate sound.BLOQUE played in various important festivals,among them a couple of great gigs in Leon and Burgos and finally released their self- titled debut in 1978 on Chapa Records and produced by radio/press pioneer Vicente Romero.

Loving both the sound of ALLMAN BROTHERS and progressive rock, BLOQUE presented a semi-prog disc with varied influences, styles, tempos and atmospheres,but built on the guitars of Respuela and Ruiz...and with two guitarist on the line-up it is reasonable that the musicianship is guitar-driven.The Respuela/Ruiz duo delivers some good solos, powerful grooves, a few fusion touches of the Spanish Prog school, while a couple of sweet ballads with acoustic guitars on the front add a more relaxed feeling, sometimes recalling TRIANA, if you add the atmospheric keyboards.Speaking of keyboards, Gutierrez, while he is a great keyboardist and uses a variety of keys including synths,mellotron and organ, actually remains under the shades of Respuela and Ruiz,though in a couple of moments he offers some nice and flashy synths.

The sound and influence of ALLMAN BROTHERS is what really dominates the album,which is a good rock album with some progressive leanings,but it can get a little bit boring for those who expect somekind of complex or more adventuruous listenings.Fortunately the band would soon switch into more progressive fields.Heading almost exclusively to fans of Spanish rock and guitar-based prog rock.