Reference: DISC 1997 CD
Barrabas was born in 1970 at Fernando Arbex's initiative after Alacran's disbanding. Arbex was the creator of the name and musical ideas based on a funky-salsa sound wich had been thinking over for some time. For this purpose, he composed songs such as "Wild Safary" or "Woman" and started to contact with the first members of the band, who were Ignacio Egaña, Tito Duarte, Miguel and Ricky Morales, Joao Vidal and Arbex himself on drums and as a producer. Once the first demos were presented to RCA's director, Mr. Gil Beltran, who was delighted with the project, a production agreement was signed with Fernando Arbex and a commercial artists contract with the members of the band. The first LP was recorded at RCA studios in Madrid and the master was cut in London at Trident studios with the engineer David Jones. This first LP meant the worldwide promotion of Barrabas wich managed to get into the USA Billboard with the song "Woman" in the Canadian lists. This event opened the doors to the group in the international market, and both market as well as the public remained faithful to the band throughout their long musical career. Barrabás recorded eight albums more with some significant changes in the group, such as the new lead singer, José Luís Tejada. Barrabás is undoubtedly the most important band as well as the most internationally known group of the spanish music business witin the last few years. A classic!.
Tracklisting:
1. The Lion (Don't Kill the Lion) (Arbex) - 6:21
2. Lover of the Night (Moll/Tejada) - 4:10
3. Viva Maria (Arbex) - 5:51
4. Dolores (Arbex) - 5:03
5. (Be My) Rebel (Arbex) - 6:26
6. Love & Hate (Gordaliza/Tejada) - 4:06
7. So Long (Moll/Tejada) - 2:54
8. Leather Queen (Arbex/Pelayo) - 3:54
9. Big Brother (Maning) - 4:09
- 4:32
Recorded in 1982
AMG Review:
Album number seven continues Barrabas' attempt at keeping up with the times, and unfortunately the results are mostly hackneyed and horrific. They were never innovators, but they often took their cues from new and exciting sources. That's not the case here. "(Be Me) Rebel"'s gruff, macho exultations ("I want to see you naked!"; "Need you like a warrior!"; "Be my rebel tonight!"), sports-highlight reel synthesizers, and caustic, blazing guitars bring to mind the unintentionally comical likes of Frank Stallone; the song could be tacked to the end of the Stayin' Alive soundtrack without anyone's notice. Both "Dolores" and "Leather Queen" are likewise directed at a female object, with the former being a sappy lovelorn fumble and the latter being a silly dance song about a mysterious woman who dances in leather jeans. As always, the playing is tight, refined, and professional.
