Due to my passion for Rock Andaluz and flamenco main editor Henri Strik asked me to listen to the two albums by new Spanish prog band Ekzilo. Then I contacted their founding member José Ruiz via e-mail and he delivered a short bio of the band. "Ekzilo was born with my first compositions in 2017. After searching for musicians (from Lorca, the region of Murcia, close to Andalucia) who could help to develop this project, the original line-up was formed and our first demos were recorded with these musicians. All of this became Ekzilo's first album, released in 2020, it is a kind of demo, the seed that Ekzilo created, everything was leading to our new album 4 years later. After this first experience the ideal line-up finally took shape: Angel Veas on bass (an experienced rock musician who played in numerous metal bands), Abel Tudela on drums (a music teacher who played in rock and jazz groups, and has been part of several flamenco formations), Paula Rodríguez (a piano teacher) on keyboards and vocals, and me, José Ruiz, on electric - and flamenco guitar. About the flamenco, I've been playing this since I was a child. I started with local teachers and then studied with Antonio Piñana, with whom I was part of his flamenco group for many years. Later I combined my studies in harmony and music, and he was an official guitarist at many festivals. I have dedicated many years to accompanying guitar and have accompanied several important names. But all those years I have always combined flamenco with performing rock and jazz music, and playing the electric guitar. Our second album Quantum Phase Transition marks a great leap in terms of production and the evolution of the band. The influences are now very varied, from Pink Floyd and Al DiMeola to Triana, Opeth and King Crimson, and more, I think that, above all, our music reflects all the music that has come to us from past and present generations". Stargazers: This eponymous debut album starts with a short but interesting piece, blending sequencing and spacey, distorted guitar, Brian May and Steve Hillage come to my mind. The second part contains compelling Floydian guitar in a slow rhythm. Diciembre: First an intro with piano (between classical and jazzy), then the distinctive flamenco guitar, intense and melancholy as a huge fan of Paco De Lucia and Paco Pena I love it. Now an accellaration, with a tight beat, featuring flamenco - and electric guitar overdubs, in a sultry climate, with Rock Andaluz hints (mix of rock and flamenco). To me it sounds hypnotizing, with an excellent rhythm section. Gradually a more lush sound, with the focus on flamenco - and rock guitar, splendid work. Ekzilo: The title track delivers a tender electric piano intro, soon blended with distorted electric guitar, and then a slow rhythm with spacey guitar and dreamy vocals (gradually turning into more expressive), topped with a moving guitar solo (howling runs and echo). Halfway a dynamic break with a swinging mid-tempo, catchy rock guitar (echo), a swirling Hammond organ and powerful vocals. Incredible how easily this band switches between so many different rhythms and moods! Next a flashy synthesizer solo with the pitchbend button, in a swinging up-tempo beat, embellished with rock guitar (some wah-wah) and Hammond, and backed by a powerful rhythm-section. Salaryman: First a wonderful 'Hammond with Leslie tremolo' sound, followed by spacey electric guitar runs. Then a swinging mid-tempo with sequencing, spacey guitar and electric piano. In between lots of short but flowing shifting moods (from mellow to bombastic), topped with bluesy guitar work, and that excellent rhythm-section. Cleavage: After an atmospheric intro with a spacey guitar, the sound frequently alternates between mellow and more powerful, with tasteful work on guitar and keyboards. La Buhonera: First a beautiful flamenco guitar intro, then a bombastic outburst with a Rock Andaluz sound (evoking early Rock Andaluz bands Smash and Gong), the rhythm-section is awesome. Halfway a sensational pitchbend driven synthesizer solo and powerful guitar work (rock and blues), with some subtle electric piano. Halfway a dreamy atmosphere with tender piano, then a bombastic outro, what a variety and dynamics, wow! La Bohunera (live bonustrack Expanded Edition): This live version differs from the previous studio track, especially in the first part, that sounds more early Triana inspired, due to the wonderful piano work and flamenco rhythm-guitar with the rasgueado technique. Halfway an accelaration, with sparkling piano and rock guitar, and a flashy pitchbend driven synthesizer solo. Then a swinging rhythm with fiery guitar and catchy piano work, and finally tender classical piano. What a strong debut album from this promising new Spanish Prog band that features very skilled and experienced musicians with different musical backgrounds, providing an interesting eclectic musical attitude. ***+ Erik Neuteboom (edited by Tracy van Os van den Abeelen) It took 4 years for Ekzilo to produce this new album but from the first track you can hear the huge progress, with a stunning variety and lots of captivating and adventurous musical ideas. Patibulum: This mid-long composition contains frequently shifting moods, with elements from Riverside, Porcupine Tree, Pink Floyd and Pendragon but with an own touch. The interplay is amazing and the music delivers lots of tension and dynamics. From a slow rhythm with a catchy beat and dreamy English vocals to a heavy outburst with (surprising) grunt vocals and thunderous drums. From a spacey synthesizer solo to dreamy with slow and intense guitar work. And finally a catchy mid-tempo with soaring Hammond organ. Ezikilo waste no time to show their huge progress, I am impressed. La Fábrica De Barro: The focus is on a tight beat, a swinging bass, and catchy work on piano and guitar, in a cheerful atmosphere. The interplay is strong and powerful, with sparkling piano and propulsive rhythm-section. In between the climate changes into bombastic with spectacular synthesizer work, and lush Hammond. This band can rock, and swing, and what a tight and strong unit. Dunas: This is the most accessible and melodic composition but with subtle shifting moods, the Neo-Prog from Marillion and Pendragon comes to my mind, embellished with a sensitive guitar solo, soaring Hammond, and backed by a dynamic rhythm-section. In the final part a synthesizer joins the main theme, culminating into a wonderful conclusion. Brujería: Wow, what an awesome tribute to the 70s 'symphonic jazz rock' sound from Al DiMeola (I love his Elegant Gipsy era, and have seen him 3 times on stage), especially the first part featuring powerful guitar (with the distinctive Al DiMeola 'palm muted picking' technique) and amazing interplay, and topped with swirling Hammond, sparkling piano and Rock Andaluz guitar. Halfway a short but captivating break with propulsive drum beats, and synthesizer bleeps. Then a flamenco guitar solo piece (including the rasgueado technique), culminating in a mid-tempo beat with an exciting Rock Andaluz atmosphere. Listening to this amazing composition I am blown away by the skills and musical ideas of this band, what a huge musical potential, another wow! Evolution: This alternating and dynamic epic composition contains lots of interesting musical ideas, and frequently changing atmospheres. From a slow rhythm with fiery guitar runs and sparkling keyboards to bombastic, both topped with grunt vocals. From an ominous atmosphere with Pink Floyd echoes to an interlude with the focus on distorted guitar work. From an orchestral part to a spacey synthesizer solo. From an interlude with soft bass runs, piano and Floydian guitar to a jazzy electric piano solo. And from a mid-tempo with moving guitar solo and swinging rhythm-section to a spectacular synthesizer solo with exciting use of the pitchbend button. In the end the climate is bombastic with the stunning 'tapping guitar' sound, backed by a thunderous rhythm-section, you cannot beg for more thrilling variety. Epílogo: The final track is a short instrumental with mellow guitar overdubs, and flamenco undertones. What a stunning progress this promising new Spanish prog band has made, what a captivating musical adventure, and so many skills and ideas. This music needs a few listening sessions to get into but if you are up to the huge variety and many interesting musical ideas check out this new Ekzilo album, highly recommended! **** Erik Neuteboom (edited by Tracy van Os van den Abeelen) Where to buy? |
