Lady Time (Numen, 1998)

Numen are a Spanish band whose musical consistency, so far from any commercial benefits and strongly rooted in the neo-prog soil, I surely appreciate. Since their debut album "Samsara" they displayed a nice bend for melodies and considerable instrumental skills. This song comes precisely from "Samsara" and I know many of you would have singled out other and more complex compositions from this album... but I hope you'll forgive me as you know how much I like a well done and well played pastoral song.

Didn't I say that Numen also like beautiful artworks for their releases?

This is exacly the case with "Lady Time", where a well found theme lies on a smooth sonic carpet and the listener can also find some beautiful guitar solos and a delicious flute work. Furthermore, there is a very clever and unpredictable change of mood around minute 3:25, when the Camel-esque pastoral song becomes more Marillion-esque and, believe me, this is simply perfect for my ears. 

Friends I + II (Turdetans, 2020)

 Turdetans are a Spanish prog band from Alcalá de Guadaíra, in the Seville area, a very important prog province, I daresay, home of Triana, Guadalquivir, Smash and many more. And after all their name comes from the ancient  inhabitants of their region. This time, don't expect a resurgence of rock andaluz: these musicians like to blend with skill all the faces of prog rock to create a fascinating sound, rich and diversified. Acoustic blue skies, fluid and captivating, are suddenly perturbed by electric and even metal storms, folk rains or symphonic winds. 

The album's cover beautifully refers to the work's main topic of dreams.

A treat, as this little suite called "Friends" will easily prove. You'll be surprised to discover how Turdetans set up a consistent and well balanced track in spite of all the changes in time, volume, mood and instrumentation they play out. Such an achievement comes from the perfect fusion of excellent melodies and genuine energy. "Suite of Dreams" in their only album to date, but we can only hope it will soon be followed by more releases

Pequeño animal (Dry River, 2011)

This Spanish band released their first album titled "El Circo de la Tierra" in 2011 and were a pleasant surprise to me. Sure, some of their tracks are too much on the metal prog side for my mellower tastes, but many songs are plain and very good progressive rock in a vital and colourful mood I like very much. " Pequeño animal" is one of them, full of bombastic and melodic lines, and also featuring well found changes in both rythm and tempo.

This cover art perfectly matches with the band's music, IMHO.

The background keyboard work by Carlos Álvarez Prades is brilliant, and all the musicians know how to play their instruments. Maybe a special mention goes to Ángel Belinchón Calleja's powerful vocals (and after all, Dry River used to perform Queen's covers in their early days...), adding a somewhat operatic pop-rock touch to the great picture, a welcome and original twist. And I also highly recommend to your attention their following albums...

Baghdad I, II & III (Ilvcia, 2013)

Spanish folk, oriental mood and symphonic patterns... can you imagine such a mix? Well, it actually exists and you'll listen to it on the album "In The Nature of Reason", released by Spanish band Ilvcia. "Baghdad", in particular, is a suite of three tracks spanning over some 18 minutes and lining up a first acoustic part called The Gates, a more progressive and lively central section titled The Market and a liquid, pulsing finale (The Suburbs).

"In The Nature of Reason" was the first album by Ilvcia.

This three part piece of music is difficult to label, but this is exactly what I expect in a progressive song. Sure, you'll recognize here many traditional prog elements, namely the guitar / keyboard interplays and the atmospheric passages, but there are also so many folk, pop, space rock and even psych ingredients in this spiced kind of music that make me feel strangely happy when I listen to it. A good omen, no doubt.

Promesas (Módulos, 1972)

One of the earliest prog bands in Spain, Módulos knew how to mix their fresh and catchy Sixties style with more complex solutions coming from the British prog rock masters. This track comes from the album "Plenitud" and is a rather long song, including an instrumental first half,  where different moments build up a lively and melodic piece of music, dreamy and colourful like a pop song, but also everchanging and unpredictable like a progressive track.

"Plenitud" was the third studio album by Módulos.

The final "Beatles-like" section, for example, comes in unexpectedly and acts like a cameo into such a diversified plot. But likely the main feature of "Promesas" is IMHO the sense of joy it conveys: the musicians actually enjoy their music and seem to celebrate their fully progressive search for a different horizon. Naive or not, this song is still fizzy and unaffected today as it was in 1972.

Tapwala (Alms, 2016)

Alms are a one-man band, created and animated by Spanish multi-instrumentalist Aitor Lucena. As Alms, he released the album "Beyond" in 2013, while the song I'm introducing today comes from his sophomore work titled "An Irosmic Tragedy". "Tapwala" is - as usual with Alms - a flushing and increasing collection of acoustic and electric sounds, a colourful fresco, starting with a Dante's quuotation and going through many changes and even more moods. When you put so many ideas in one song, it's easy to lose control and to create an unsettled series of musical sketches.

"An Irosmic Tragedy" was released on January 2016.

 

Well, Airton is able enough to wrap up a well conceived and well organized epic, where each moment starts at the proper time and each theme is fully exploited and cleverly fitted into the great picture. And this with an unusual, ironic taste, lining up symphonic crescendos and horror movie soundtracks. More than this: each instrument represents a different perspective over the same musical landscape, so that "Tapwala" is a musical kaleidoscope, a precious casket full of surprises. Try it, my prog friends: it's... irosmic!

The Gray Stones of Escalia (Galadriel, 1992)

This is not the only track from Spanish band Galadriel in my blog, so you can devine my opinion about their music. Yes, I like those musicians very much and their misty, delicate still full-bodied kind of progressive rock. "The Gray Stones of Escalia" comes from the album "Chasing The Dragonfly" and features all the main influences Galadriel gathered and re-worked with care and passion. This long epic (a suite? Something like that...) starts under an atmospheric and Jon Anderson-like star, thanks to Jesús Filardi's vocals and to the sophisticated vocal harmonies the band conjures up, but even so there's an original acoustic approach backed with spacey and Floydian accents.

"Chasing The Dragonfly" was the second studio work by Galadriel.

The track gradually grows up in rythm and energy, and the electric guitars get more and more important. A series of orchestral effects ends up this crescendo and then, here you are an unpredictable lyrical section, kind of a magic and intense lied, something inner and even experimental, leaving a melancholy smell and a sweet taste.The finale, of course, changes all once again and goes rock. Listen to this, my friends...

Umbría / Bajo la sombra y el sueño (Alameda, 1983)

The lushing "Rock Andaluz" had so many good bands and artists on the foreground that even a dedicated prog fan could neglect a good deal of excellent musicians. I'll try to skip such a risk with this very good song by Alameda, taken from the album "Noche Andaluza"(that's "Andalusian Night"). It's a two-song sequence including a dreamy spanish guitar intro (played by Paco de Lucia, one of the finest guitarists ever) and followed by a classic, epic example of symphonic "Andaluz"rock song.

"Noche andaluza" was the fourth studio album by Alameda.

This one is so well arranged and organised in its different parts that I'm always moved when I listen to it. José Roca sings it with his usual pathos and a clever keyboards / guitar plot turns the track into an actual progressive piece of music. That's why you don't need to be into Spanish traditional folk to appreciate this song.

It All Becomes Clearer (Harvest, 2014)

Another band from the 2000s that I actually like very much. This time they're from Spain and this song comes from their album called "Northern Wind". This title says it all, so please don't expect Flamenco rock or sunny, Mediterranean moods: these musicians are on the windy, wintery, all-British side of prog. A classic keyboard-oriented prog meets a celtic female voice and a rather indie rock background. All in all, this music is pleasant and emotionally strong, with clever tempo changes and a good deal of instrumental parts.

This "Northern Wind" was the third studio work by Harvest.

Rough riffs and delicate melodies, essential piano touches and effective chords, these are the main ingredients of a savoury dish, with some good and never too long electric guitar solos to top the pie. These clear and neat sounds seem to me like a cool breeze coming from the sea, a refreshing whiffle announcing the stormy season. Oh, please stop me: I'm getting maudlin!

Ícaro (Albatros, 2011)

This is a very well written and played progressive rock, IMHO. Albatros come from Igualada, near Barcelona and their style became more and more original during the years. Sure, there are many influences you could recognize in this "Ícaro" (Riverside, Pink Floyd and Porcupine Tree among them), but also a very personal way to melt them into a unique sound, fluid and dense, rocky and melodic. The Spanish lyrics add a latin touch that Javi Fernandez knows how to emphasize and the tempo changes are also a specialty of Albatros.

Albatros are a five-piece band, the most traditional line-up of 

Progressive bands... that doesn't mean they have a predictable sound!

 

Take the long and liquid instrumental part filling most of the second half of this song: it's one of the finest jazz/space rock contaminations I've heard from a contemporary band (IMHO, once again). Good taste and a mature inspiration can do miracles, believe me. No, better than that: try Albatros yourself!

Hope (Dracma, 1996)

Dracma are a Spanish band whose second album, titled "A Fine Stormy Weather" is worth my prog friends' attention. This track, in particular, deserves some notes I'm proud to put down here. It's a fresh, rather catchy and surely diversified song. Its first section is a lively instrumental intro, then a pastoral mood comes in, with a strong (and welcome) Genesis touch. Some seconds later, here you are a delicate sung theme, a melodic and well found one. A beautiful electric guitar / keyboards interplay leading to a guitar solo finishes this gentle section.

Is it me or this tree has a familiar shape?

The following one is once again sparkling and based on a slightly jazzy mood, where a well played piano rules. Some good keyboards lead on the track and close it in the proggiest way I can imagine. Nothing unheard by human ears, of course, but everything is so pleasant and so well arranged that I usually restart the song for one more musical treat. Will you also do so? Let me know...

Psychodrama (Numen, 1998)

I know, I know... so many neo-prog bands fill the virtual shelves of my blog. Nonetheless, these Spanish boys deserve, IMHO, their own space here and this song will help me to explain why. Not only Numen are pretty good when it comes to writing melodies, but they also like changes. Good changes, I mean. Listen to the way they shift from rythmic sections to sweet acoustic ones and vice-versa in "Psychodrama", especially around the acoustic guitar part. I also happen to like César Alcaraz passionate vocals, somewhere between IQ and Ange.

"Samsara" was the band's debut work and their only one until 2014.

And then, I love the way the piano gets in at minute 6:41and starts a rather jazzy and unusual section, seconds before the Marillion echoes come back with the main sung theme. Contrasts are the very hard core of progressive rock, so I welcome catchy lines and pop ballad verses as long as they're mixed with some less predictable moments. That's exactly what Numen seem to master very well in their best songs. And that's why I'm glad to have them in my blog.

En el lago (Triana, 1975)

Triana's debut album, properly titled "Triana", but usually called "El patio" actually is one of the best prog rock releases ever. You'll find other entries from it browsing my little blog, of course. Time has come for me to put into my collection "En el lago" ("Into The Lake"), a song suspended between romantic visions and lysergic trips. Its soft intro leads to an almost psychedelic keyboards plus guitars interplay and then, following De La Rosa's warm voice, the track grows up to reach a fully (prog) rock finale.

 

"En el lago" was also released as a 7" single, b/w "Diálogo".

As usual with Triana, you'll find beautiful melodies, different moods and some contemplative sketches, even if in this case there are less flamenco references. The final result is a diversified but never too tricky song pattern and the listener is keenly guided through the inner landscapes Triana line up. Be confident and steam away...

El llarg revolt (L'Herba d'Hamelí, 2009)

Here you are a fascinating, rather original mix of classic prog, Catalan folk and good melodies. This band comes from Barcelona and the song I'm introducing here is part of their album "Inversa Visual". You'll find in it almost all the old progfan's favourite features: tempo changes, eclectic interplays, strong '70s influences, very good performances, a sensitive lead voice... plus, the lyrics in Catalan language, something that's not so usual, after all.

"Inversa Visual" was the band's fourth studio work.

How many excellent instrumental passages! Some of them also include acoustic instruments, so that these musicians are also reminiscent of Mediterranean bands like Premiata Forneria Marconi, Triana or Minimum Vital. That said, the final effect is absolutely original and enthralling. More than 17 minutes of pure progressive joy, one of the best thing I've ever heard from Spain... excuse me, from Catalunya!

Abismo Próximo (Canarios, 1974)

This "Segunda Transmigración" ("Second Transmigration") from the album "Ciclos" is another pearl by Canarios (or Los Canarios, as they were credited elsewhere). The four compositions in this double LP re-write in a very eclectic way Vivaldi's Four Seasons (you'll find more in my blog). Opera, rock, improvisation, poetry... you'll find almost everything here. The suite is divided into seven movements, each one adding a different, special mood to the track. Vivaldi's themes are split and re-arranged along with original compositions and clever variations.

On vinyl, four suites filled each side of "Ciclos" double album.

The opera-inspired harmonies and the flushing keyboard works come interspersed by acoustic bridges and even by some Spanish folk hints. There are so many faces to this song I'm afraid I'll never be able to describe it, so you'll have to listen to that if you really want to make up your mind about such a suite. I hope you won't regret the time you'll spend there.

La Roca del Diablo (Cai, 1980)

Cai's album "Noche abierta" ("Open Night" in English) is rightly considered as one of the best flowers in Spanish progressive garden and this track, "La Roca del Diablo" (meaning "Devil's Rock") is one of my favourites. The elegant keyboard effects, the melodic and mysterious atmosphere and the changing tempos are but some of the strong points of this instrumental. You'll also find some vague folk passages and a very good choice of interplays and even a slight jazzy orientation.

"Noche abierta" was the second studio album by Cai.

All is done with passion and a great deal of good taste, mixing the classic prog features and the Spanish colour. Listening to this is a good way to spend some 8 minutes and opens a gate to a less known progressive rock coming from early '80s, even before the neo-prog season. A quiet but not peaceful musical trip I surely recommend to you all.

El galope del asturcón (Asturcón, 1981)

Asturcón only released one album in 1981 (recorded in 1980), but the record is probably better known and surely more appreciated today than in its release days. Victor Carrizo, the man behind this project, managed to set up an original collection of pure progressive music with distinctive elements in it. This "El galope del asturcón" (the asturcón is an Asturian pony) is a good example of the strength and even the weirdness of his compositions.

The original LP included six tracks, all very good, IMHO.

 

Mainly instrumental, the track descibes the animal in its natural environment and finally exalts the beauty and the pride of the asturcón and of the Asturian landscape in a few spoken lines. Naive as it is, this track is a pleasant trip through a colourful land and its abrupt tempo changes give the listeners a delightful surprise. It's a refreshing sip of prog in a rough rock oriented period, not the best way a musician had to get rich... something I always appreciate.

Encuentro fugaz (Triana, 1980)

Many prog fans know very well the beautiful debut album of this Spanish band, but they almost ignore the rest of their production. Such a shame, as Triana made many excellent records, including the song I'm introducing here. It comes from their fourth album, titled "Un encuentro" and it immediately proves to be one of the most creative tracks of  Jesús de la Rosa  & friends.

This album also features "Tu frialdad", the only real hit of Triana.

It's a dark, meditative song about love and its unpredictable turns, based on piano and spanish guitar, and of course feturing the splendid voice of de la Rosa. If some other tracks of the album seem more pop than the usual Triana's standard, this isn't a plain song at all, with its morn instrumental passages and its half spoken melody. A nocturnal, intense, rich song that digs very deep in human soul, in short: a real prog song.

Al otro lado (Asfalto, 1978)

A classic, enthralling keyboard driven prog track by one of the most important and prolific Spanish bands ever. "Al otro lado" ("To The Other Side", in English) is a '70s up tempo song, coming from the album bearing the same title. If Jorge Walter García Banegas and his keyboards play the lead role here, all the musicians do their best to create a lively and diversified piece of music. All the long intro is an instrumental track of its own, then a short and melodic sung section comes in, adding an atmospheric moment to the track.

"Al otro lado" was the second studio proof of this seminal band.

The up tempo prog comes back soon after with a jazzier vein and another pulsing sung theme. This is a Yes-oriented passage, with a very good bass guitar, IMHO. The instrumental finale takes the shape of a powerful wall of sound and also includes some excellent elevctric guitar flashes by Julio Castejón. As you may imagine, the final result is a sparkling kaleidoscope of sounds and moods, one of the richest (and proggest) arrangements in the whole Spanish rock scene of the Golden Era.

Historia d'una gota d'aigua (Gotic, 1978)

This track, taken from the album "Escenes" ("Scenes") is a Spanish (Catalan, to be more precise) prog gem, one of the sweetest ones, IMHO. It's a relaxing, descriptive still varied 10 minutes instrumental track, kind of a trip in a natural, clean, aerial world. The titles says it all: it's the story of a waterdrop, narrated by Jep Nuix and his flute supported by a clever percussion work, gentle keyboards and some acoustic guitars. The musical themes are simple and well found, so that you actually feel your body flucuate between white and pink clouds.

The whole "Escenes" album is Worth your attention.

The rythm gradually increases as the track goes on and our little drop grows up and joins the rain pouring down. Really, this Camel-esque track may be too naive for an intellectual prog listener, but as I'm a very simple man, I like it and I listen to it when I need to calm down. It perfectly works, believe me.