Medina Azahara xx

Spanish group Medina Azahara was formed in 1979 by singer Manuel Martinez, guitarist Miguel Galan, drummer José Antonio Molina, bassist Manuel Molina, and keyboardist Pablo Rabadan. That same year, the band signed with CBS, issuing a self-titled album produced by Gonzalo Garcia Pelayo that featured their first hit, a song called "Paseando por la Mezquita."…

Spanish group Medina Azahara was formed in 1979 by singer Manuel Martinez, guitarist Miguel Galan, drummer José Antonio Molina, bassist Manuel Molina, and keyboardist Pablo Rabadan. That same year, the band signed with CBS, issuing a self-titled album produced by Gonzalo Garcia Pelayo that featured their first hit, a song called "Paseando por la Mezquita."…

The genre into which Medina Azahara had previously been slotted in is "eclectic prog", and nowhere does this description match the band's output better than on "En El Hakim". This has to do with the attitude of the group towards the compositions - one of patience and collaborative arrangements - and the inclusion of guest flamenco master Vicente Amigo. The result is a band that sounds, and even looks, like a mature version of the Gipsy Kings, one that knows how to slow down, take root, and stay awhile…

This popular Spanish band from Cordoba was founded in the late Seventies. In 1979 Medina Azahara released their debut album "Paseando Por La Mezquita" (aka "Medina Azahara"). This album contains the exciting Andalusian rock and earned a double-platinum status.
On their debut album Medina Azahara delivers a very pleasant blend of melodic rock (mid-tempo songs like En La Manana and Se), neo prog in the vein of Marillion (lots of Mark Kelly-like synthesizer flights) and Prog Andaluz (mainly ballads and slow rhythms) with strong hints from Triana like in the exciting titletrack (a flamenco rhythm with heavy guitar riffs, howling guitar and emotional vocals) and En La Manana and Busco (parts with flamenco guitar)…

MEDINA AZAHARA plays song oriented rock with a few symphonic touches, strong Andalusian vocals, and lots of preening lead and rhythm guitars. The tracks range from hard rock to power ballads, not exactly an impressive range. In "El Hakim", the group threw in some fine Spanish guitar licks, but they are not to be found here. About half the tracks on the original CD re-release are at least mildly interesting, but none stand out : "A Toda Esa Gente", "No Quiero Pensar en ese Amor", "La Tierra Perdida", "Tu Mirada" would be in that category, and also adequately represent the limited stylistic breadth. One of the bonus tracks is an alternate version of the excellent "Otono" which originally appeared on "el Hakim". And at this point the group does appear to be recycling, in dire need of a new creative infusion. At this point almost any new direction would be welcome.