Pan Y Regaliz / Evolution / Cerebrum - Grandes Grupos Progresivos - Todas Sus Grabaciones Para Discos Dimension 1969-1972(rec) 1999(comp)****

I visited Valencia shortly before covid-19 hit Europe and, as always, did the tour of the city's record stores. I was in one of them called Discos Oldies and about to buy a vinyl reissue of the Pan Y Regaliz LP when I stumbled on this CD: it cost about the same, contained all of Pan Y Regaliz but also added (almost) complete discographies by two other contemporary Spanish groups, unknown to me at the time, so I opted for this one instead.

The original Pan Y Regaliz LP (****) is a highly sought-after item that changes hands for 100's of €'s, even in VG (moderate) condition, a result of their musical worth as well as of its rarity. All I knew about the band was their reputation as the "Spanish Jethro Tull". Apparently they hadn't heard much of Jethro Tull at the time, but the comparison is inescapable for any rock band using flute. Apart from that detail, this Catalan band is notable for singing in English despite having a Spanish name, as well as for the absence of any Spanish influences in their music: one could easily take them for a British, or maybe German, group of the period. The music is blues-based psychedelia akin to Cream circa Disraeli Gears, with the flute providing the more jazz/prog moments. Opener "Dead Of Love" and "One More Day" justify the "Spanish Jethro Tull" label with fluid playing, lots of flute, and psychedelic wah wah guitar. The singer is good even though he sometimes drawls and almost sounds like bleating. No such complaint, of course, for the instrumental "Thinking In Mary" which similar to the instrumentals from JT's debut. "Magic Colors" and "When You Are So Bring Down" are closer to Cream: bluesy psychedelia with heavy guitars. "Waiting In The Munster's Garden" is hippie jazz dominated by percussion and flute, and "A Song For The Friends" a most atypical trad jazz ditty reminiscent of The Bonzo Dog Band or The Beatles' old-timey "Honey Pie". The long-winding "Today It Is Raining" and closer "I Can Fly" are trippy acid rock. Some consider them to be their best songs, but I find them a bit too experimental. The second band here is called Cerebrum and have only released two 7' singles (****, 1970). All 4 tracks are included, and they're quite interesting. The music is uncompromising blues prog with tons of distorted guitar. Jimi Hendrix is obviously a reference point, but I find even more similarities with The Groundhogs' Split LP. Evolution (***) is obviously a different kind of band. A mixed German-Spanish beat band who started life as The Vampires, despite covering Spirit and King Crimson, they're closer to Soul than Prog and Psychedelia. Their music is similar to Blood Sweat & Tears or Electric Flag, featuring soulful vocals, horns, lots of Hammond organ and occasional fuzzed-out electric guitar. CD2 of this compilation gathers their complete output, including their eponymous 1970 LP and a few singles (1969-1972). They are much more commercial than the other groups here, with danceable songs like "Fresh Garbage" and the "Get Ready/Evil Ways" medley, and softer pop material like "Loving Me (Is Not The Only Thing To Do)", "I Must Live" and "Pain And Pleasure". Of the covers, "In The Court Of The Crimson King" is an OK ballad with nice flute, but pales in comparison to King Crimson's version. "21st Century Schizoid Man" is more interesting, as it's transformed to heavy rock and doesn't try to replicate the original. Original compositions "Dr. Vasquez" and "Water" present a cool mix of Jimi Hendrix and psychedelic-era Temptations. Together with fuzzed-out garage rocker "She's So Fine", groovy instrumental "I'm Walking High" and probably the soul version of "Fresh Garbage" they provide the highlights of the second CD. So here's the question: was it worth it buying this CD compilation instead of the carefully restored gatefold vinyl reissue of Pan & Regaliz? I think yes. Sure, the later would be much more beautiful as well as more collectible. But, even though they're hardly essential, Cerebrum and Evolution certainly have their moments.

**** Dead Of Love, Thinking In Mary, Magic Colors, A Song For The Friends, One More Day, Waiting In The Munster's Garden, When You Are So Bring Down (Pan Y Regaliz), Eagle Death, Read A Book, Time's Door, It's So Hard (Cerebrum), Water, She's So Fine, Dr. Vazquez, 21st Century Schizoid Man (Evolution)

*** for Today It Is Raining, I Can Fly (Pan Y Regaliz), Fresh Garbage, You Don't Love Me Baby, Loving Me Is Not The Only Thing To Do , I'm Walking High, Problems, Get Ready/Evil Ways (Evolution)

** for In The Court Of The Crimson King, I Must Live, Pain And Pleasure (Evolution)