Browse by Artist: SOLERA

Artist:	SOLERA
Title:	Solera
Label:	VINILISSSIMO (SPAIN)
Format:	LP
Price:	$25.00
Catalog #:	MRSSS 016LP

Recorded in 1973, Solera's debut album was a Spanish interpretation of the U.S. West Coast sound and late-period Beatles. The four band members were responsible for the wonderful songs and lyrics, and the album was brilliantly produced by Rafael Trabucchelli. A landmark in 1970s Spanish music, the birth of Solera can be explained looking at the career of its four members. The most experienced of them, José Antonio Martín, had already toured Europe at age 14 along with his city's choir and dance group. By then, both he and his brother Manuel had become infatuated with the sounds of young America, but their presence in several '60s bands only left a trace of two records for RCA with Los Gansos. Rodrigo García came back from Bogotá in 1969. He had lived the previous few years as a star fronting the Colombian band Los Speakers. Thanks to that background, he was soon busy in Madrid, featuring briefly in Los Pekenikes and getting a regular gig in charge of the Vox organ in Juan Pardo's band. José y Manuel enrolled him for their first LP as a duo, the amazing Génesis, released in 1971, but everything would change with the second LP, Pronto Amanecerá, when bassist José María Guzmán joined the band, who had been performing on stage for years, first with the "Rey del Silbido" ("King of the Whistle"), Curro Savoy, and later with Los Diamantes and Micky. In the periods between recordings and rehearsals, the two brothers discovered the McCartney-esque talent of Guzmán and Rodrigo's Dylan phrasing, and start to wonder how they would fit in with the increasingly folky atmosphere of their compositions. As a whole, Solera is the most accomplished creation from this 4-piece. The brothers' vocal harmonies reach great heights and provide a deliciously sunshine-y counterpoint to the ochre-colored sound of their colleagues. Rodrigo wrote a major classic, "Linda Prima," but Guzman's talent also shines -- most likely responsible for the chamber pop character that permeates the record; specifically, the sweetly playful "Viejo París," the Beatles-sounding "Juan" or the Badfinger reminiscences of "Tiempo Perdido." You'll be amazed at the romanticism these timeless grooves exude. Reissued on vinyl for the first time, and pressed on 180 gram vinyl in a limited edition of 500 copies only. Includes an insert with liner notes in Spanish and English.

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