Haizea - Hontz Gaua

Year of Release: 1994
Label: Lost Vinyl
Catalog Number: LV 006
Format: CD
Total Time: 33:25:00

Again, one of Spain's most obscure prog bands from the Basque region. A lot of flute and keyboard interplay with some icy female vocals by Amaia. "Egunarn Hastapena" offers some superb tin whistle combined with double-bass played with a bow. All in all it sounds rather experimental, although from the time flute and violin are introduced you get pure folk. "Argizagi Ederra" is very Clannad-like, what with the voice and the deep sounds of the underlying keyboards. In "Arnaki" one waits for the voice of Ian Anderson to take you right into the heart of an unissued Jethro Tull recording, only to find out that it's Haizea once again. The title track "Hontz Gaua" is an incredible piece of music starting off with some great Gregorian chant which evolves into divine flute playing by means of the sound of rippling water. Ace acoustic guitar and, again, that voice make this a mere fifteen minutes of real magic. Try and find this gem when you have some pesetas left next time you're in Spain. I warn you it will be a difficult but worthwhile journey!

Originally released by Elkar (1976)

Tracklisting:
Anderea (3:32) / Egunarn Hastapena (5:39) / Argizagi Ederra (4:10) / Arnaki (5:19) / Hontz Gaua (14:14)

Musicians:
Xabier Lasa - electric and acoustic guitar, adarrak, alboka
C. Busto - drums, percussion, xylophone, congas
Xabier Iriondo - flute, acoustic and Portugese guitar
Gabriel Barrena - acoustic and electric bass
Amaia - vocals

Discography:
Haizea (1975)
Hontz Gaua (1976/1994)

Genre: Progressive Rock

Origin ES

Added: April 19th 2001
Reviewer: John "Bobo" Bollenberg

Hits: 2501
Language: english