Glazz
Cirquelectric (Lo Suyo, 2011)
Glazz is one of the most exciting bands in the Spanish progressive music scene. Their concept album Cirquelectric is dedicated to a circus show. The album contains 21 tracks that illustrate the various performances in a circus, from the firebreather and fortuneteller to clowns, strongmen, hypnotists, exotica and acrobats.
The music on Cirquelectric crosses numerous boundaries. For example, on track 2, ‘Pasen y vean’ (Como and see), Glazz treats the listener to a beautiful Andalusian rock piece, with Iman-style synths, fretless bass and outstanding percussion. A true delight. The album is full of splendid gems, like the Ketama-style nuevo flamenco piece ‘La Adivina Pastora.’
‘Pasen y vean’ Music Video:
Other pieces head in a jazz-rock direction and then there is flamenco and world music influences. The band is led by three superb multi-instrumentalists who are comfortable playing electric progressive rock and fusion as well as traditionally-rooted acoustic music.
Glazz are based in El Puerto de Santa María in Cadiz province (Spain). This area is hotbed of flamenco and was the homebase for celebrated progressive Andalusian rock band Iman for several years. It is also the home of the Ruibal family, led by Javier Ruibal, a multi-dimensional singer-songwriter who has pioneered fusions of flamenco, rock and other genres for many years. Javi Ruibal, Javier’s son, is the band’s percussionist.
The album is full of high profile guests. Javier Ruibal appears on track 2. And the track ‘Alehop’ includes the unmistakable vocals of Spanish rock pioneer Miguel Ríos who recorded two essential progressive rock albums in the 1970s.
The lineup on Cirquelectric includes Dani Escortell on bass, fretless bass, and keyboards; Jose Recacha on electric and acoustic guitars, Portuguese guitar, banjo, bass, synths and palmas (handclap percusssion); and Javi Ruibal on drum set, percussion, guitar, soundscapes, keyboards and aquasonic.
Guests include Javier Ruibal on vocals, Miguel Ríos on vocals, Carmelo Muriel on flue, Iñaki Salvador on piano, Patricio Espejo on sax and Theremin, keyboards; Jesus Cabral on cello; Pepa Niebla on vocals; Rafa Fontaiña on jembe and percussion; Raul Rodríguez on electric Cuban tres; Álvaro Martínez Maluquer on vocals; Ricardo Moreno on Spanish guitar; Domi González on backing vocals; Leda Tres; Pedro Perles on vocals and Spanish guitar; Esteban Perles on drums; Jesús Cabral on bass; and Patricio Espejo on keyboards.
The CD booklet includes lyrics and fascinating artwork by David Rendo.
Cirquelectric is an impressive recording by one of the most creative and original bands in the current Spanish progressive music scene.
Buy Cirquelectric