Musica Urbana, Feliu I Joan Albert, Trio Altisent - Historia (2024, 3xCD Box-Set, Spain)

CD1 Musica Urbana - Musica Urbana (1976)

1. Agost 06:57
2. Violeta 08:21
3. Vacas, toros y toreros 04:43
4. Font 04:50
5. Caramels de mel 05:28
6. El vesubio azul 08:24

CD 2 Feliu i Joan Albert (1977)

7. El Califa de Cassoles 09:31
8. Amarg Loreto 08:27
9. Masia Blanca 03:14
10. Fines Vetes 07:12
11. Els Barbers Indignats 08:26

CD 3 Trio Joan Altisent (1984, Unreleased)

12. Formatgera 06:56
13. Blar Mar 08:00
14. El Califa Emamorato 07:00
15. Els Dits De Mana Rosa 02:14
16. La Tigresa De Berma 01:45
17. Variacions Sobre Na Tema D'estiu 10:46

CD1: Musica Urbana - one of the most impressive albums of its time; its unique contribution was to infuse the languages of rock, jazz and formal composition with flamenco, the Spanish folk tradition and the sensibility of national composers, such as Manuel de Falla and Isaac Albéniz – and then to weave all these elements into a uniquely Spanish iteration of experimental rock. A work of luminous brilliance.

CD2: Joan Albert I Felui Gasul, released a year later by Musica Urbana’s keyboardist Joan Albert Amargos and flamenco virtuoso Feliu Gasul. Again, it is marked by a seamless fusion of styles combined with a lightly-worn intensity and high degree of musical intelligence. With edge-of-the-seat playing and a mixture of compositional and improvisational flexibility, there’s also a lightness and sense of here that conceals the fiendish complexity of the compositions. Joan Albert plays acoustic piano, fender electric and clavinet, Jaume Cortadellus adds some perfectly judged flute on one of the tracks and the whole of Musica Urbana appear on another. Both are beautifully recorded and mixed - with an unusually clear, strong, sound and exquisite separation. Together they capture an explosive cultural moment - which rapidly faded as music industry values regained control.

CD3: Trio Altisent, presents for the first time recordings by Amargos, Gasul and Cortadellus made in 1984, improved and remastered for this box by Bob Drake. Amargos and Gasul went on to become highly respected contemporary composers, Benavent to work with Paco de Lucia, Chick Corea and Miles Davis. And, at one time or another, they all worked with Maria del Mar Bonet. (ReR)