Croma - Doble Cos

(CD 2024, 40:15, Arqueprog/5 Lunas Producciones, Limited edition of 500 CD copies)

The tracks:
  1- Intro(2:08)
  2- Echoes(1:24)
  3- Pinoxto(9:37)
  4- Ocells(2:04)
  5- Cims(5:20)
  6- Speed(3:33)
  7- Danses(2:10)
  8- Somni(5:32)
  9- Bye Bye(1:56)
10- Recreacio [Bonus Track](6:08)

samples      5Lunas
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Croma was founded in 1973, in the Spanish region of Catalonia, their instrumental music blends jazzrock and symphonic rock. Between 1975 and 1978 Croma played concerts, even acting in front of legendary Rock Andaluz formation Triana. In 1979 Croma recorded a demo with an 8-track tape recorder, this was never released as an album and seemed to be lost in the vaults. But thanks to 5Lunas in 2024 it has been put on CD, with one bonustrack. The Croma band members on this album are Josep Maria Trotta (keyboards), Lluis Escarrá (guitar), Josep Fonts (bass) en Quim Pratdesaba (drums).

We prog aficionados must be happy with record companies like 5Lunas, because they pick up gems that were lost in the vaults, like Croma. After my first listening session I am impressed by this band with their 1979 tape, what a tight and skilled unit, and what a lot of variety and dynamics in the 10 instrumental compositions (including 1 bonustrack). The sound alternates between symphonic rock (Camel) and jazzrock/fusion (with echoes from other Spanish prog like Iman and Quadalquivir), tastefully layered with strong solos on guitar and vintage keyboards, and backed by an excellent rhythm-section.

There is a lot of variety in beats: up-tempo in Ocells (fiery guitar and powerful drums and bass, wonderfully blended with strings) and Echoes (flashy Minimoog and distorted guitar), mid-tempo in Danses (strong interplay) and Cims (lush and dynamic, Camel inspired with fine work on guitar and keyboards) and dreamy in Intro (beautiful stew of classical piano, strings and spacy synthesizer), Bye Bye (pleasant vintage keyboards sound, Minimoog, electric piano and string-ensemble) and the bonustrack Recreacio (brassy synthesizer solo with soaring string-ensemble.

About the other 3 interesting tracks.

Pinotxo: This epic composition starts with mellow keyboards and guitar, tight military drums, the guitar turns into fiery, blended with spacey synthesizer flights. Then an acceleration, in a mid-tempo, what a strong interplay. Now back to a slow rhythm with a moving guitar solo and a spacey Minimoog solo, Camel comes to my mind.
Speed: I love the distinctive sound of a soaring string-ensemble, in a slow rhythm, enjoy the pleasant melodic and harmonic sound. Next and acceleration featuring sensitive guitar runs and the string-ensemble, the powerful and dynamic sound is topped with a flashy Minimoog solo.
Somni: This fine musical idea is built around funky bass work with an electric piano solo (an obvious tribute to Riders On The Storm), then fiery guitar solo, these guys know how to push the right musical buttons!

Another fine example of the overlooked Spanish prog.

**** Erik Neuteboom (edited by Dave Smith)

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