Ia - Batiste - Un Gran Dia (Reissue) (1972/2005)

Key duo from the Catalan folk rock scene, joint venture of Ia Clua (from Dos + Un) and Jordi Batiste (one of the leading forces of Máquina!), after the latter one's return from military service. Un Gran Día, the duo's first album, was recorded at the end of 1972 with the help of such outstanding musicians as Manel Joseph (ex Dos + Un, Ia's early band), Joaquín 'Max' Suñer (Vértice, Tapiman, Iceberg a.o. ) and Albert Batiste (Música Dispersa). The result is an amazing and varied musical tapestry, best heard on the record's first side, a long suite covering from orchestral folk-pop with some psych leanings ('Un Gran Día', 'Max') to straight in-your-face hard rock ('Sleeping Rock') via typical early '70s prog ('Oliba') and uncategorizable experiments which defy all known rules ('Reprise'). Sung both in Catalan and English, this album is a fine example of the craziness and experimentation achieved by the Catalan bands in the early '70s. A piece of wax which went totally unnoticed when first released in a tiny pressing back in the days (thus becoming a big ticket item in the collector's market). Strictly limited to 500 copies. High quality gatefold sleeves reproducing the original artwork from 1972's first press on Diabolo. Includes insert with liner notes by Fermí Puig.