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. Saint Valentine (Arbex) - 5:05
2. Lovers in the Rain (Arbex/Morales) - 5:31
3. Black Cotton Plantation (Arbex/Maning) - 4:56
4. Stop the Horse (Arbex) - 5:17
5. Sex Surprise Big Surprise (Arbex/Moll) - 5:41
6. Hollywood Ten O'Clock at Night (Arbex/Morales) - 4:34
7. I Need Your Lovin' (Morales) - 3:35
8. Inside of Me (Moll/Morales) - 3:54
9. Hello Hello (7th Ave/54th) (Arbex/Morales) - 4:32
Recorded in 1983-1984
AMG Review:
Barrabas' 1984 return is a very slight improvement over the pair of 1982 albums that are best left forgotten, only evident in the fact that the band seems more comfortable and into what they're doing. This band would have served a better purpose in the '80s if they had used more female vocalists. The playing is always top-notch and professional, but the belting masculine vocals they favor are better suited for a rock band, because they often overpower arrangements that call for more sensitive, melodic, and occasionally dramatic vocal turns. Furthermore, lyrics were never the group's strong point; they would've been better off relying on their instrumental prowess rather than covering the same topics (working, getting loaded, trying to score with the chicks) favored by the corporate rock bands of the time. The worst/best song title goes to "Sex Surprise Big Surprise," which is about going to a party and being approached from behind by a prospective partner; this person turns out to be something other than what was expected.
