Triana

In 1672 Cuban revolutionaries launch an uprising against the Spanish who are occupying the country.

Claude Debussy wrote of Albéniz’s compositions: ‘Never has music attained such diverse impressions and colours. One closes one’s eyes and is dazzled by contemplating so many images.’ Iberia certainly fits this description beyond doubt, with its vivid evocation of Spain. Composed between 1905 and 1909, the collection is divided into four books, each containing three pieces. Book I opens with ‘Évocation’, which combines the southern Spanish fandango with jota song forms. ‘El Puerto’ was inspired by El Puerto de Santa María, in Cádiz, whilst ‘Fête-dieu à Séville’ depicts the Corpus Christi Day procession. ‘Rondeña’ and then ‘Almería’ are both depictions of Andalusian towns, and are followed by ‘Triana’, which evokes the Gypsy quarter of Seville.

Bringing together some of the most popular songs on the Tru Thoughts catalogue and a sprinkling of timeless instrumentals, from world-respected acts including Quantic, Bonobo, Alice Russell, Nostalgia 77, Belleruche, Hot 8 Brass Band and Stonephace (featuring the Portishead guitarist Adrian Utley), the compilation is packed with quality. Alongside these Tru Thoughts signings, past and present, you’ll also find an impressive roll call of guest artists, including rising UK soul singer of the moment Andreya Triana (Ninja Tune); BRIT nominated blues/jazz singer Beth Rowley (Universal),whose 2009 debut album went Top 10 in the UK charts; and remixer Ashley Beedle.

Vega were one of several Andalusian and Spanish bands who flourished in the mid- to late seventies by making music that blended flamenco, folk and jazz at times with English progressive tendencies, often resulting in a colorful and rich fusion sound. Acts like Triana, Cai, Mezquita and Azahar would establish themselves as the preeminent players on these scenes, along with the more contemporary counterparts like Los Canarios and Alameda. In this vein Vega combined Andalusian instrumentation (and sometimes traditional arrangements) with a less well-defined progressive bent, emphasizing instead a heavy flamenco influence and the showcased guitar work of band leader Tómas Vega. The group released three albums in three years, each accompanied by one single. The first two are heavily imbued with flamenco-driven fusion compositions.