Reverb Central .:. Review .:.

Fifty years playing instrumental rock is a very significant accomplishment. Spain's Los Jets have been creating interesting instrumentals with a Castilian sound mixed with echoed European guitar that have continued to merit attention for all that time. This is not a retrospective, but a new set of recordings.

Picks: Calavera, Partisans, Get It On (Bang A Gong), It's Not Unusual, To Need, To Want And Not To Have, Luna, Budda's Tavern, Maggie May, Never My Love, On Golden Wings, The Millionaire, Zero, Space Ship Rendez-Vous, Take Five, Venus, Voodoo Woman, Polaris, Zorongo 08

Rock (Instrumental)

This grand Spanish melody calls to the emotional side of you, while the guitar's tone is smoothed distortion. While very accessible, "Calavera" has rock sensibilities and really pleases. I love this melody!

Cowboy (Instrumental)

In the tradition of cowboy epics of rock'n'roll like "(Ghost) Riders In The Sky," this song sports great galloping drums and a panoramic melody. The warmth of a desert night is presented with adventure and romance. Very cool!

Rock (Instrumental)

Dark fuzz guitars and heavy rock drums and bass deliver a rousing version of Marc Bolin's classic glam rocker "Get It On (Bang A Gong)." Thick and swimming with string bending guitar.

Easy Listening (Instrumental)

Hahaha... this is everything you might expect! All the cheese of Tom Jones' "It's Not Unusual" is here, and it's done with a grin I think. If you don't take it all too seriously, this will make you smile. It's very well played and the arrangement is pretty fun.

Easy Rock (Instrumental)

Intense warbling guitar delivers a pretty melody with an easy backtrack. Great drums and an easy gate flowing romantically. Very nice.

Easy Listening (Instrumental)

"Luna" is a lovely piece partially in the Shadows vein. Its light sound and easy lead roll off the ears leaving behind a gentle breeze. Quite pretty.

Easy Rock (Instrumental)

Great bass, drums and dribbling glissandos couple with splashy echo distortion guitar to create a cross between surf and easy rock that's satisfying and nicely arranged. The glissandos are a very nice addition.

Rock (Instrumental)

Rod Stewart's "Maggie May" is an interesting vehicle for Los Jets. fitting their smooth rock side very well. The arrangement is simple and direct, and the drums great.

Easy Rock (Instrumental)

The Association's "Never My Love" rolls easily off Los Jets style, with easy rock flair and solid drums.

Easy Listening (Instrumental)

Layered guitars echo across the horizon as they bring forth this pretty melody. "On Golden Wings" is a flowing melodic number with a dense sound. Imagine heavy easy listening.

Shadows (Instrumental)

"The Millionaire" is very much in the Shadows vein, with the kind of structure and sound that implies. Melodic, flowing, echo-dependent guitar sustain, acoustic accompaniment, etc., all in a dense layered aural wash.

Western (Instrumental)

A grand galloping beat and western image drives this splendid piece. "Zero" implies riders in an open desert where cactus reigns supreme. On the Shadows' side, with genuine appeal and color. Nice track.

Easy Rock (Instrumental)

I don't know why the space ship part of the title, but "Space Ship Rendez-Vous" is a light hearted and warm instro with sense of reunion and anticipation. Its slightly distant, which creates a bit of mystery.

Surf Jazz (Instrumental)

Paul Desmond's glorious "Take Five" is done with great delicacy and art. There's a lot here that pleases the ear, whether you are familiar with the original or not. With many covers out there using guitar as the melody voice, it's very nice to discover an original arrangement with pleasing sound and emotional connection to the Dave Bruebeck Quartet original. Superb!

Rock (Instrumental)

This is too fun! "Venus" is a grand cover of the Shocking Blue top forty hit. It's a great melody for a guitar instro cover, and Los Jets make is fluid and warm in a cool aural environment.

Easy Rock (Instrumental)

There are lush flurries of piano and an engaging arrangement behind "Voodoo Woman" that give it a rich aural quality. More than just pretty.

Easy Rock (Instrumental)

This is a well crafted pop melody in a faster-than-the-Shadows format. It's very much like "Dance On," but perhaps less warm.

Western (Instrumental)

"Zorongo 08" is a fluid echo fest of epic western theme and adventure. It's a song that's been in their repertoire for a very long time. It's really very inviting, and the melody is quite grand.