Reverb Central .:. Review .:.

This is not a surf CD. It's also not heavy rock. It is, however, a very good disc for listening. Some very nice arranging, excellent emotional playing, and simply enjoyable tracks. There are a couple of tracks with elements of surf.

Picks: Ritual Fire Dance, El Arlequin de Toledo, Malaguena, Gipsy Moon, For A Few Dollars More, La Virgen de la Macarena, Sevilla, The Dance Of The Bafoon, Las Lagarteranas, Guadalajara, The Lonely Bull

Rock (Instrumental)

Moody and spooky in the beginning, "Ritual Fire Dance" floats in a light weight arena, though the guitar is not far from Jet Harris' six string bass sound. The contrast between the cleanliness and the guttiness is intriguing. This melody is overlooked from a rock perspective, and it's nice to see someone do it with an interesting arrangement.

Rock (Instrumental)

Twang and a rolling rhythm, acoustic guitar backing, and busy drums. The production may be a little slick, but the rock underneath shows through. Very nice track.

Rock (Instrumental)

Can there ever be too many versions of this amazing Ernesto Lecuona song? This is much more along the lines of the way Lacuona wrote it than the extract surfbands limit themselves to. Some orchestration via keys. Very cool!

Rock (Instrumental)

Double picked gypsy melodies and twango, with a rolling rhythm and a lot of mysterious warmth. This is a pretty cool song with some surf sensibilities.

Rock (Instrumental)

Enio Morricone's film score is always fun. Bongos are employed, as is a big guitar sound that's mixed in an orchestral way into the mix. It makes for a lush sound with a rock edge, perhaps a bit like some prog.

Rock (Instrumental)

"Have You Ever Really Loved A Woman" is just a very pretty romantic song with a lush and almost atmospheric sound. Slow and soft, floating on promise.

Rock (Instrumental)

This fun melody is very nicely played in a low register over a light weight backtrack for an emotional Spanish sound. I think "La Virgen de la Macarena" is a very good track with an attractive sound and style.

Rock (Instrumental)

This is a pretty fun version of "Sevilla," with a very cool arrangement. Military drums, acoustic backing, a sense of adventure, and a celluloid quality. This song goes back quite a ways. Los Relampagos did it once upon a time.

Rock (Instrumental)

Another Enio Morrecone song, played fast and with seriously effected guitar. The drums are really the main attraction, though the seventies guitar styling is very effective.

Rock (Instrumental)

"Aranjuez 2 Degree Movement" is a slow and moody piece with nearly delicious Spanish guitar. The orchestral keys add a sense of film score and space. A pleasant backdrop to a sad scene of overcoming loss.

Rock (Instrumental)

Jews harp, a pompous cadence, an ancient folk dance, and a very fun melody. "The Dance Of The Bafoon" is to be taken with an open heart and sense of the visuals it conjures.

Rock (Instrumental)

"Spanish Serenade" plays on a traditional Spanish rhythm with guitar over the top playing a circulating melody.

Rock (Instrumental)

Gypsies and hand claps seem visually obvious in this nice track. Pretty, and fun, but somehow not memorable for me.

Rock (Instrumental)

This is a fast and bouncy track with a grin required. You can't have an attitude on unless it's non-serious. Simply fun.

Rock (Instrumental)

"Maria Latina" is a slower piece with vibraphone and electric guitar. Interesting contrasts.

Rock (Instrumental)

My first temptation as "Las Lagarteranas" opened was to say "Olay." Nicely done, with an attractive sound and interesting percussion.

Rock (Instrumental)

"Guadalajara" is the high point on the disc for me. Low register gutty guitar, often double picked, with surf sensibilities in some places, and a sense of simple pleasures in exotic places. Quite nice.

Rock (Instrumental)

Sol Lake's sultry melody is done with moderate speed and very liquid guitar, placed upfront over percussion and organ with bass. Very nice, with atmospherics and a lot of smoothness.