Iman, Califato Independiente - 1980 - Camino Del Aguila

Iman, Califato Independiente

1980

Camino Del Aguila

01. La marcha de los enanitos (10:30)
02. Maluquinha (6:29)
03. Camino del aguila (14:00)
04. Niños (3:05)

Kiko Guerrero / drums, percussion
Marcos Mantero / keyboards
Urbano Moraes / bass, percussion, chorus
Manuel Rodriguez / vocals, guitars

+ Ruben Dantas / percussion (2)
- Dierdre Fallon / chorus (4)

The Spanish progrock quartet Imán Califato Independiente has its origins at a convention, given by the meditation guru Maja-raj-ji, in the mid Seventies. Like genuine hippies, the musicians lived together in one house in El Puerto De Sta. Maria and eventually they founded Iman and in '78 they made a debut album, entitled Iman Califato Independiente, two years later followed by this second album entitled Camino Del Aguila. Iman also appeared on the Spanish compilation albums Rock Andalus ('94) and Duende" ('97, a 2- CD).

1. La marcha de los enanitos (10:30) : This album opens with a mid-tempo rhythm delivering strong interplay with a Morish undertone between electric guitar and synthesizer and propulsive percussion. Then an exciting build-up from a sultry climate to a gradually more dynamic atmosphere with mindblowing work on a fat sounding synthesizer and fiery guitar with howling runs, supported by a lush string-ensemble sound, very compelling, what a dynamic blend of Prog Andaluz and jazzrock!

2. Maluquinha (6:29) : In a swinging rhythm again we can enjoy the Andalusian Carlos Santana, accompanied by exciting percussion and a fluent synthesizer solo.

3. Camino del aguila (14:00) : The titletrack sounds very alternating with an awesome rhythm-section, great interplay between guitar and synthesizer (like Iceberg) and lots of interesting musical ideas, from a howling, Morish inspired guitar solo and a catchy rhythm with strong interplay between all musicians to guitar work in the vein of Steve Howe on Relayer (Yes) and a flashy synthesizer solo.

4. Niños (3:05) : A wonderful dreamy, quite melancholical piece, first with spacey keyboards, twanging Spanish guitar and warm vocals, then sensitive classical guitar runs, slow synthesizer flights and a lush string-enesemble sound, this is the mellow side of Iman and I love it too!

Iman delivers a very exciting fusion of Prog Andaluz and jazzrock, highly recommended!