It is remarkable how little we know about the Spanish scenes!  Vampisoul the great record label specialising in offbeat soul and pop-jazz sub-genres is surprising me over and over again with almost every new issue they put on the market!   This time I was completely blown away by the re-issue by Sabor a Fresa by Alfonso Santisteban.  Sure I know the tunes and recognised many of the songs but on the other hand both the artist as the album where unknown to me before!

In a brilliant but ultra rare mixture of jazz, Brazilian flavoured pop, spaghetti western and Spanish flamenco santesteban creates a mood on this Sabor A Fresa, that is hard to describe. From dated cheesy sounds over hot tunes and almost classics, this album is here for the very first time re-issued under its original title and includes one extra track from an odd 45rmp as well.  Sabor a Fresa comes with a cheesy sound full of females singing “da-ba-das” or trio “L La La’s” catchy grooves and equal interesting jazz instrumentals.

Take for instance “Limon Y Sal”, a bomb of a seventies tune that is drenched in soul and jazz and that without doubt was a big influence on many instrumental groups that followed even years after its original release date!  The sound on “Vuelve A Tu Ciudad” comes complete with screaming trumpets and cheesy guitars!  The bonus track “Soledad” I mentioned earlier comes from an obscure soundtrack the man wrote in his days working for TVE. Something did quite often and with success if you listen to “Soledad”.  Title track of the album “Sabor A Fresa” is of course a signature tune and is so recognisable that you’ll curse yourself forever that you completely forget about that tune. On “Bricandeira” Santisteban he brings out his love for the Bossa Nova and the beaches op Ipanema. More Bossa Nova can be found in “Nuestro Ayer” where you  can hear some great guitar work that reminds me of “Concierto de Aranjuez”. Not surprisingly if you know that Santisteban is classical formed musician.  Another master track on this record is “Zorongo”. Spanisch Flamenco guitars, female choruses and screaming trumpets are the basic ingredients for this tune that would have been so good on any seventies soundtrack!

A bit dated by now but sure a giant hit on you next cocktail party, this album revives the cheesy sound of the seventies but more importantly brings back vivid memories of the earlier days and makes us realise where all the instrumental bands get their stuff from.

Mr Blue Boogie.