Ia i Batiste - Chichonera's Cat (Reissue) (1975/2008)

Ia Clua & Jordi Batiste were two Catalan musicians who started their career in the late 60's. Batiste was member of the leading psychedelic- progressive group Maquina, one of the most legendary groups ever to come out from Barcelona. After leaving Maquina, Jordi Batiste got together with Ia Clua and released two excellent albums; the first (Un gran dia) was released in 1971 on the Diablo label. The second one, '' Chichonera's cat'' , is from 1975 and came out originally on the Edigsa label. Musically this album is a blend of progressive, rock & folk, entirely sung in the Catalan language. Great stuff.

After their astonishing debut, Ia-Batiste took their songwriting talent one step further. Combining complex prog rock arrangements with their trademark catchy pop harmonies they create a sophisticated collection of charming progressive folk tunes. Recorded at EMI studios between May and June 1975, it features Jordi & Clua on bass, Francis Rabassa on drums, Max Sunyer (Tapiman, Iceberg) on guitar plus plenty of synth action (Elka & Moog) courtesy of Kitflus (Proyecto A, Iceberg, Pegasus). The sophisticated musical backing includes also percussion, piano, sax, choir, children’s voices and pre-recorded tape. An essential record from the catalan scene recommended to all lover’s of 70’s prog! After this album was separated and Batiste went to the Orquesta Plateria.