5LUNAS : PROGRESSIVE ROCK SIDE OF FIVE MOONS COMPILATION SERIE. Intro. As a huge fan of Spanish progressive rock and Rock Andaluz I am pleased with 5Lunas and their recent series of compilations featuring rare and unreleased Spanish prog and Rock Andaluz. In my opinion it's often overlooked, many progheads prefer to discover the Italian prog that features more Genesis, Yes, Pink Floyd, King Crimson and Emerson, Lake & Palmer inspired bands. While on the other hand the Spanish prog delivers more eclectic sounding bands, with ethnic hints, and not obviously influenced by the big prog names. Listening to the compilations CD's entitled Progressive Rock Side Of Five Moons I am pleasantly surprised by the strong musicianship, lots of interesting musical ideas and huge variety. Here's my view on #5 and #6. PROGRESSIVE ROCK SIDE OF FIVE MOONS - VOL. 5 This is already #5, from this CD I only know three bands, Arcabuz, PI-2, and of course Gotic. Arcabuz - Música Después De La Vida (7:14) : The first part delivers a fluent rhythm with synthesizer runs and a fiery guitar solo, in a Camel atmosphere, the interplay is excellent, halfway the mood shifts to dreamy featuring a spacey synthesizer solo and moving guitar solo. Alms - Avaritia (6:01): The music starts mellow with soaring organ and twanging acoustic guitar, topped with wonderful female vocals (a slight accent), evoking Julian's Treatment and their vintage keyboard driven sound. Then a heavy outburst featuring flashy synthesizer runs, opera-like vocals, followed by lots of changing climates, theatrical male vocals, embellished with Hammond organ, Mellotron and finally piano. Mondo Infiel - El Ser De La Necesidad (8:09) : First a bluesy guitar intro, and Sixties inspired rock, then surprising duo classical guitarplay. In the second part a heavy sound with blistering wah-wah drenched heavy guitars. Golem - Jedraque (5:50) : After a soaring strings intro, beautiful Spanish vocals join, in a dreamy atmosphere, with delicate electric piano. Then the atmosphere changes into a mid-tempo with rock guitar and powerful vocals, a break with percussion and Mellotron, and finally sparkling flute traverse, what a variety and dynamics. Hysteriofunk - Óscar Car (Parte I & II) (7:27) : First an intro with electric piano, then a swinging rhythm, with strong interplay, the jazz rock sound and exotic percussion reminds me of Al DiMeola, with powerful guitar, in the second part a soaring Hammond sound. Zrio - Blue Frog (3:40) : This is also the realm of jazzrock featuring Allan Holdsworth-like guitar, with swinging electric piano solo, what awesome musicians. Goio - Momentos (4:20) : This is a dreamy piece with romantic vocals and a fine piano solo. PI-2 - The Acid Rain (10:22) : First a dreamy climate with omnipresent flute, then slow a rhythm with sensitive electric guitar, pleasant flowing shifting moods, and finally first a powerful guitar solo and then mellow flute play. El Tubo Elástico - El Marciano (7:38) : This strong instrumental contains a catchy mid-tempo beat, fiery guitar runs, dynamic drums and the distinctive Hammond. Gotic - Història D´Una Gota D`Aigua (10:16) : Another instrumental composition, first an intro with dreamy guitar and flute, in a classical atmosphere, in the second part the music gradually turns into lush with wonderful flute work and a dynamic rhythm-section. ***+ Erik Neuteboom (edited by Dave Smith) PROGRESSIVE ROCK SIDE OF FIVE MOONS- VOL. 6 From this #6 I only know Unoma and Amarok. Unoma - Black Hole (8:48) : First a slow rhythm with sensitive electric guitar, then a swinging acceleration with an exciting synthesizer solo, in the second part back to the slow rhythm with moving guitar, very tastefully arranged. Yünklaz II - Red Awakening (5:55) : The atmosphere sounds a bit sultry, with hypnotizing percussion, ominous sounds and howling guitar, a captivating experience. Then a mellow climate with twanging acoustic guitar and fragile electric guitar play. What musical contrasts. Architects Of Hysteria - Tangerines Bananas (8:48) : This powerful and dynamic instrumental features a catchy mid-tempo beat with heavy wah wah guitars, propulsive drums and xylophone, between jazzrock and Frank Zappa sound (xylophone), topped with funny sounds, exciting rock guitars and electric piano. Amarok - Sueño De Carne Y Espuma (7:47) : The music alternates between a swinging rhythm and a mid-tempo, embellished with violin, female vocals, electric piano and trumpet, a very pleasant eclectic sound. Insigne - Caribe (7:17) : This instrumental sounds varied with lots of musical ideas, a good example of the adventurous and elaborate Spanish prog. Joan Díaz - Foc (8:24) : This track delivers powerful instrumental jazzrock, with a swinging rhythm, the interplay is strong, with fiery guitar and an excellent rhythm-section. Juan Belda & Hugo Westerdahl - Random (5:47) : This is the most experimental composition, pretty atmospheric, with spoken words, sound effects, in the second part some heavy guitar. Víctor Estrada - Continuo Despertar Part 1 (5:58) : Another example of original Spanish prog with varied keyboards, classical guitar, flute, powerful female vocals with some opera overtones, very eclectic. Xavi Reija - John's Song (7:23) : A propulsive beat featuring heavy drums, a deep bass sound, and raw and distorted electric guitar, wow, what an overwhelming rock sound! Mariano Lozano-P - Tanger-iné (8:24) : And finally, an ambient, electronic music inspired piece, with hypnotizing sequencing and spacey synthesizers, very tastefully arranged. ***+ Erik Neuteboom (edited by Dave Smith) Where to buy? |
