Rock On! Wednesday, 29 October 2025 – Carmen, Mezquita, Asgard, Spriguns & Mandy Morton, Congreso & Los Jaivas

Psychedelic, heavy, prog and more innovating sounds spanning the late 60s and the early 70s – Dan’s pick of the week: Carmen (Fandangos in Space), Mezquita (Recuerdos De Mi Tierra), Asgard (Tradition & Renouveau), Spriguns & Mandy Morton (Magic Lady), Congreso (Congreso) & Los Jaivas (Los Jaivas).

De Brits-Amerikaanse groep Carmen was een unieke en eigenzinnige rockband die in het begin van de jaren zeventig actief was. Opgericht door de Anglo-Amerikaanse muzikant David Allen, wist de band zich te onderscheiden door een opvallende en vernieuwende combinatie van progressieve rock en flamenco – een stijl die ze zelf omschreven als flamenco rock.

Prog Archives review: “This album number is ranked #46 in the Rolling Stone list of 50 Greatest Prog Rock Albums of All Time. Opeth frontman Mikael Akerfeldt told Metal Hammer in 2012 about this first Carmen album. “It’s a crazy flamenco prog-rock folk record! They had tap dancing on the record and castanets too! Everyone I’ve played it to has been blown away by it.”

Well, that sounds as music to my ears, such a huge appreciation for flamenco elements in prog music by such a known prog metal musician. As an aficionado of Rock Andaluz (from Triana and Cai to Medina Azahara and Sherish) since the late 70s I was excited when I stumbled upon the LP Fandangos In Space (Paramount Records version), in the early 90s. (….)

But back to the music on this album (I consider Fandangos In Space as their best effort), it’s mainly rock-oriented, but varied and dynamic, blended with avant-garde, psychedelia, folk and flamenco in a very adventurous way. Not always my cup of tea but the music is fascinating, surprising, exciting, and performed by 5 skilled musicians, including ex-Jethro Tull bass player John Glascock and ex-T. Rex drummer Paul Fenton. Lots of swinging rock in the 11 tracks, with fiery guitar runs and powerful riffs, at some moments mixed with soaring Mellotron, classical guitar or the art of the flamenco with guitar, castagnettes and zapateados (footwork). The music is topped with strong vocals (male and female), and lots of vocal harmonies (English, with some Spanish). Every serious proghead should have had at least one listening session with this album, unique prog in the genuine tradition.”

Wednesday, 15 Ocotber 2025 12:00 noon CET Brussels – 11 a.m. GMT London. Repeated: 16:00 & 20:00 hrs CET Brussels, 3 p.m. & 7 p.m. GMT London
Ends: 12 midnight CET Brussels, 11 p.m. GMT London.