FUSIOON Minorisa LP/1975 Spain/Prog Rock/Mellotron/King Crimson/Gentle Giant/ELP

$

36

FUSIOON 'Minorisa' LP (Spain, Vinilisssimo, Catalogue #MR-SSS 10) Brand new/unplayed copy of Vinilisssimo label edition of third LP by legendary Spanish progressive psych jazz-rock fusion band Fusioon.

(NOTE: LIMITED VINYL EDITION!)

'Minorisa (1975) was the best and last record by Fusioon -- the most consistent Spanish prog rock band of the first half of the '70s, whose daring compositions mixed traditional music from Manresa, Ibiza and Menorca with elaborate instrumental passages. The first half of the '70s was a dark age for Spanish rock, but some bands held on to their vision with wonderful stubbornness. Fusioon recorded three albums and achieved some recognition: there's even a video of the band on YouTube defending their radical sound and performing a portion of this album on national television. Hailing from the industrial city of Manresa, the band consisted of keyboardist Manel Camp, his bassist brother Jordi, the spectacular drummer Santi Arisa and guitarist Martí Brunet. Some had a rock background and others came from music school; however, they all shared a penchant for progressive rock and the feeling that folk music could be an ingredient in their experimentations. They recorded two LPs for Belter, a commercial label that didn't know what to do with them. The first one (from 1972) contained folk and popular influences and opened with a composition by Manuel de Falla. The second one (1974), also without a title, featured original songs and a piece by Tchaikovsky. The band used to play seasonal residencies at clubs in Castelldefels, Barcelona and, during the summer, Ibiza. In 1975, there were winds of change: the dictator Francisco Franco began his decline. In July, Fusioon took part in Canet Rock, an open air festival which presented the new musical offerings for the soon-to-arrive times of freedom. The four-piece hoped to join Zeleste, the company which organized the festival and which had a record label, live venue and management office. They weren't interested. Zeleste's rejection demoralized the band. Although they were pioneers in recovering their native roots, they were considered "imperialist" (!) due to their solemn instrumental passages. Unfortunately for them, the stylistic focus had moved from prog rock to jazz rock. Moreover, they didn't have any political message and -- check this out -- they were looked down upon as hicks because of their coming from Manresa, in contrast with the cosmopolitan character of their peers from Barcelona -- and the two cities were only 60 kilometers apart. Despite all that, they bade farewell in style. The Spanish subsidiary of German label Ariola wanted to open up to creative music and signed Fusioon. The band recorded Minorisa in Madrid, their most complex and mature record. The two suites, written by Manel Camp, used folk melodies from Ibiza and Menorca. The third piece, "Llaves Del Subconsciente," revealed Martí Brunet's passion for electronic music. This album is a swansong for the first period of Spanish prog rock: weird, stately, and wonderful.'

'Fusioon are, quite rightly, celebrated as one of the leading exponents of Spanish progressive rock. Their first album was instrumental and focused on Manel Camp's keyboard abilities, particularly his piano skills. The eight tracks are melodious and easily accessible, sharing some similarities with Ekseption, Focus, Wigwam (Jukka Gustavson), Collegium Musicum and The Nice. At times, their music on this album bordered on muzak and was overshadowed by both subsequent efforts. Fusioon 2 (1974), also known as their "crocodile cover album" proved to be a major step forward providing very satisfying progressive rock. Compared to British progressive rock you would have guessed it to be recorded around 1970/71 with its combination of classical (related to The Nice 1968/69) and jazz-rock styles recalling Soft Machine's Third, although with added guitars. The arrangements are well-balanced between complexity and directness on the four extended tracks (of which "Tritons" included variations on a theme from Tchaikovsky's sixth symphony as adapted by Keith Emerson.) In fact, this is one of the best attempts to merge jazz and classical music in international progressive rock. Minorisa (1975) was yet more complex, almost approaching Zappa and Gentle Giant, with lots of impatient flickerings between different ideas in three large-scale rock suites. This is refreshing and quite demanding - right at the core of the diffuse entity know as progressive rock. Suffice to say, Fusioon were aptly named and among the most important Spanish groups.' - Dag Erik Asbjornsen/Scented Gardens Of The Mind

- Vinilísssimo releases on vinyl the third and best record by Spanish '70s prog rock experimenters, Fusioon.
- Members include Manel Camp, his bassist brother Jordi, drummer Santi Arisa and guitarist Martí Brunet.
- Far-out Mellotron prog passages mixed with traditional Spanish folk song and stately classical embellishments.
- For fans of King Crimson, Emerson, Lake & Palmer, Tangerine Dream, Klaus Schulze, etc.

Tracks on this LP are as follows:

• Ebusus (Suite) (18:50)
• Minorisa (Suite) (10:57)
• Llaves Del Subconsciente: I Parte: Mente, II Parte: Cerebro (8:06)

Shipping in US is $4.00./CANADA AIRMAIL is $17.00./MEXICO AIRMAIL is $22.50./OVERSEAS AIRMAIL is $24.00. (Shipping totals will be consolidated for multiple winning bids.)

Record shipped in professional, superior rectangular shaped, corner-protecting corrugated cardboard record mailer with filler pads. Satisfaction guaranteed!