Browse by Artist: LOS BRAVOS

Artist:	LOS BRAVOS
Title:	Ilustrísimos Bravos
Label:	VINILISSSIMO (SPAIN)
Format:	LP
Price:	$25.00
Catalog #:	MRSSS 005LP

Vinyl-only release. Spanish band from the '60s, known all over the world for their smash hit "Black Is Black." Recorded in London in 1968 with arrangements by Jean Bouchety, Ilustrísimos Bravos contains songs by Vanda-Young, Augusto Algueró, Reed-Mason and Manolo Díaz. The cover picture was taken by renowned photographer Alberto Schommer. In 1969, when Ilustrísimos Bravos was released, Spain's most international band had just split. At the end of 1968, producer Alain Milhaud, responsible for Los Bravos' success, announced at the Café Gijón in Madrid that singer Mike Kennedy was leaving the band to work as a solo artist. At the same public event, a lawyer turned up to declare that the group also wanted to part ways with Milhaud. It was a dramatic move that ended up in negotiations so that Los Bravos could keep the rights to the band's name and continue with another vocalist: Englishman Anthony Anderson, brother of Jon Anderson, by then frontman of Yes. The reason for this conflict was the fear that a Mike-less Bravos would be ignored by Barclay-España, Milhaud's production company. It's well known that the band members hardly participated in the recording sessions that took place in London, which were ruled by Milhaud's efficiency ideal, which involved using studio musicians instead. Thus, at the start of autumn 1968, when Ilustrísimos Bravos was recorded in London's Lansdowne Studios, only Mike Kennedy, guitarist Tony Martínez, and (according to some magazines) organ player Jesús Gluck were present. The musical director was a friend of Milhaud's, the great Jean Bouchety, responsible for many French pop hits and a recording artist under his own name. Bouchety even recorded an orchestral version of "Great Is Our Love," the song by Augusto Algueró included here. Ilustrísimos Bravos gathers pieces by the singer-songwriter Manolo Díaz translated into English (except "Como Superman," an outtake from the previous LP) with songs by established composers: Les Reed and Barry Manson, who had written hits for Tom Jones; Harry Vanda and George Young, from the Australian Easybeats, who penned the glorious "Bring A Little Lovin'"; Kenny Young and Scott English were New York songwriters, and "Save Me, Save Me" was the single released in Europe, while "Dirty Street" was chosen for the United States. However, the songs from Ilustrísimos Bravos only had some commercial success in Spain: their sound had probably gone out of fashion by 1969. The dream of keeping the worldwide impact of "Black Is Black" vanished. It would be more than 6 years before Mike Kennedy returned to front Los Bravos, and it wouldn't be a triumphant comeback. Pressed on 180 gram vinyl in a limited edition of 1,000 copies only.

Artist:	LOS BRAVOS
Title:	Los Bravos
Label:	VINILISSSIMO (SPAIN)
Format:	LP
Price:	$25.00
Catalog #:	MRSSS 011LP

Vinyl-only release. The Vinilísssimo label reissues on vinyl for the first time the 1966 debut album by Spanish beat/soul band Los Bravos, the most international Spanish act of the '60s. Recorded in London under Ivor Raymonde's direction, it features such powerful tracks as "Trapped" and the worldwide chart hit "Black Is Black." "Black Is Black" is remembered as the peak of '60s Spanish pop. However, although Los Bravos came from Madrid, it was a truly international hit: French record company man, Alain Milhaud employed a German singer (Michael Volker Kögel, later Mike Kennedy), supported by British musicians and songwriters. After settling in Spain, the visionary Milhaud flies to London in search of an international release for Los Bravos. The Spanish recordings don't get much attention, but Phil Solomon, one of the industry's big fish, sees potential in the singer, who commands soul's emotion and Gene Pitney's dramatic flair; he appreciates the project's strength, with capable musicians and their own songs, written by Manolo Díaz. Solomon suggests they join the star-making machinery of Decca Records, and in the spring of 1966, the band is in London, where they must record -- with horn arrangements -- tracks approved by Decca. Ivor Raymonde directs the sessions, makes it clear to the Spanish band members: he will only require Mike's vocal performance; due to union impositions and simple efficiency, he prefers to use session musicians. Hence the urban myth that surrounds "Black Is Black," which says that Jimmy Page played guitar on the track. With a cover that seems to be an answer to the famous photos of The Beatles arriving at Madrid's Barajas airport, the first LP by Los Bravos features five songs by Manolo Díaz plus an adapted Italian song ("She Believes In Me"). Decca provided material by multi-faceted songwriters: the exciting "Trapped" is the work of Irish Phil Coulter and Scottish Bill Martin. However, all hopes are pinned on "Black Is Black" and its Motown drive. Released in the United Kingdom in June 1966, it took off immediately, thanks to the support of stations such as Radio Caroline, reaching #2 on the British charts and #3 in the U.S. Pressed on 180 gram vinyl in a limited edition of 1,000 copies, including an insert with liner notes in Spanish and English and a reproduction of the original 45 and EP sleeves.

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