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...

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.

Sé de un lugar (Triana, 1975)

Coming from "El Patio", the first and maybe best known album by Triana, this track is simply stunning, with Jesus de la Rosa's warm voice, spanish guitars, fully progressive keyboards and all the classic features of the so called "Flamenco rock". You'll also find here some acid sounds and a splendid specimen of cante jondo, the deepest and most charming genre of Flamenco.

"El Patio" is one of the greatest albums I've ever listened to.

 

As usual with Triana, you can't really tell the Spanish folk influence from the Progressive rock taste: they created a new standard, often imitated and never overdone. The dramatic atmosphere of this track is further emphasized by the electric guitar, provided by guest Antonio Perez, another welcome and winning point. Last but not least, the tempo changes add a synphonic pace to the song... isn't it enough?

Abre la puerta (Triana, 1975)

And now a Spanish band's track... what a band and what a track! Triana were ome of the greatest prog-rock groups of their generation and this "Abre la puerta" ("Open the Door") really opens a huge door on a totally new kind of music, sometimes called "Flamenco Rock" in Europe and "Rock andaluz" in Spain. Mind, please: in this song you'll find above all a very good prog rock, based on tempo and mood changes and effective plots involving acoustic and electric instruments. But you'll also find this "very spanish" atmosphere driven in by a warm and speedy spanish guitar and cadenced vocal melodies where Jesus de la Rosa's deep and beautiful voice stands out in all its glory.

 

Here's the single cover of "Abre la puerta".

 

This 9 minute song, taken from "El Patio" album, never tires its listener, thanks to the clean transitions between three different movements and the band's passionate performance. A ray of hot mediterranean sun over the usually foggy prog scene.