MY FIRST TIME

"Hertzainak heldu ziren
ta denok jarri ziren dantzan,
rockanrola batzokian..."  

Curiously, the first Basque rock albums I heard in my life were two live albums. One was "Zuzenean 91/1/19" (1991), a great live record of Hertzainak band. The other one was "Azken guda dantza" (1988) of Kortatu, a mythical punk rock local band. It is difficult to imagine a better access to the Basque rock scene and, also to the rest of the modern music created in the last decades in Basque Country. This pair of live music albums summarize perfectly the musical career of Hertzainak and Kortatu. Both works capture the essence of their time and project it to the present and offer to the beginner the attractive possibility of traveling in time, going backward or forward... All life is music!

The name of Hertzainak band (in english, The Basque Police) was a kind of parody/homage to one popular British band, The Police. After her first two albums, "Hertzainak" (1984) and "Hau dena aldatu nahi nuke" (1986), this band began to decorate with pop and folk sounds, following their fierce punk-rock touches, "Salda Badago "(1988) and" Amets prefabrikatuak "(1990). It is the latter encouraged to transform a classic 80´s hit of Derribos Arias band ("Tupes in growth"), but under a basque title, "Tupeak gora". Over time, members of Hertzainak would mature, opening up to a much wider audience, without as many social and political connotations as they once did. This produced a small break with some part its old public, the most punk and closed. "We were always running from the public, playing against the public, maintaining the central objective of being alternative, to be revulsive or at least to move the musical country of our small country."

In 1990, Josu Zabala (bass), Gari (voice), Txanpi (drums) and Kike (guitar) were shuffling and the possibility of dissolving Hertzainak, but the huge impact of their hit "Aitormena" encouraged them to continue a few year more, editing a live album recorded in Txibisto concert hall (Bergara). The group would still publish a couple of discs before saying goodbye forever in 1993. First, they recorded the flamboyant "Une etengabeak" (1991), after they created a very poetic last album, "Denboraren orratzak" (1992), with texts of a popular Basque writer, Itxaro Borda. From that point, Gari, the exvocalist of Hertzainak, would start a respectable solo stage, editing such respectable albums as "Gari" (1995), "Eguzki berritan zaude" (1997), "0-tik" (2004), "Esperantzara kondenatua" (2007), "16 lore" (2009), "Ez da amaiera" (2013), "Estutu" (2016) and "Beste denbora batean" (2018). Meanwhile, Txanpi and Kike would join the ranks of Doctor Deseo, a popular rock band from Bilbao. The charismatic leader of Doctor Deseo, Francis Diez, always makes a little effort to compose some subject in euskera on each new album. He has sung lirycs such as "Ez nauzu izango berriz", "Morrosko laztana", "Ni naiz", "Eta moxua hil atsekabez" or "Au revoir, nire maitia". All this Basque songs were recopilated in "Maketoen iraultza" (2019) album.

After the end of Hertzainak, Josu Zabala set out to revolutionize the Basque music scene again. With the help of two young bertsolaris (basque poetic improviser), Unai Iturriaga and Igor Elortza, Josu Zabala would lead 7 Eskale (in basque, 7 Homeless), a curious musician-theatrical project whose legacy are two music albums, conceptually amazings. The first album, "Bertso berriak pobreziari jarriak" (1995), focused on poverty, social exclusion and the lives of the marginalized. The second album, "Barrenkaleko bluesak" (1997), was a little more nocturnal and vicious work. Ten years later, under the name Gu ta Gutarrak (in basque, We and Our Friends), Zabala, Iturriaga and Elortza would release another great music album, "Gu ta Gutarrak" (2007). They further expanded the peculiar sound achieved in 7 Eskale thanks to a great remix of music and bertsos. "From the summer of 2006 we got together again with the idea of joining with bertsos and music. We decided to carry out a new project in which we would like to see more bertso, purity and improvisation." Gu ta Gutarrak was a music montage in which, without losing a basic coherence, it was opened to pop experimentation.

Pulling the thread of Hertzainak, the beginner will be able to connect with a veteran basque songwriter, Ruper Ordorika, producer of the third album of Hertzainak, "Salda badago" (1987). Ruper´s career is one of the longest of the Basque scene and encompasses at least three different stages. In the 1980s, the young Ruper Ordorika was a rare avis, but in his first albums, "Hautsi da anphora" (1980), "Ni ez naiz Noruegako erregea" (1983) and "Bihotzerreak" (1985), he reached unprecedented music levels in Euskadi, popularizing the poetic work of a young Basque writer, Bernardo Atxaga. Listening to one of those three albums for the first time will be an unforgettable moment for any music lover with a refined rock sense. Although they are different from each other, the three albums share a very special magic. They contain a sophisticated basque pop-folk songs.

Already in the 90's, Ruper Ordorika would start a different creative period because, during a refreshing stay in the city of New York, this basque musician met new friends and explored new sonorities. Protected by a faithful band, The Mugalaris (in basque, The Fronterier Men), Ruper Ordorika's career would gain greater recognition after editing music album such as "Ez da posible" (1990), "So'ik'so" (1995), "Dabilen harria" (1998) or his formidable first live album, "Gaur "(2000), recorded into Kafe Antzokia, a famous concert hall in Bilbao. Ruper Ordorika currently owns his own space within the Basque rock scene. After dead of Mikel Laboa (1934/2008), Ruper has become one of our greatest exponents, like basque artists like Benito Lertxundi, Anje Duhalde and Niko Etxart. New albums such as "Hurrengo goizean" (2002), "Kantuak jartzen ditut" (2004), "Hirian" (2006), "Haizea garizumakoa" (2010), "Haizea garizumakoa" (2010), "Azukre koxkorrak" (2013), "Lurrean etzanda" (2014), "Guria ostatuan" (2016) or "Bakarka" (2018) attest to Ruper's high position.
 
Into the rock albums of Kortatu band, the beginner will find a direct line with the mythical work of Mikel Laboa, godfather and central axis of all modern basque music. As traditional as it is experimental, the sonorous legacy of Mikel Laboa has been revered by dozens of Basque artists for decades, from bands of traditional folk sounds to bands of punk, rock, hardcore or heavy metal quartet. There are two tribute albums to Mikel Laboa, "Txerokee, Mikel Laboaren kantak" (1990), "Txinaurriak" (2010) or "Mikel Laboa. Urretxu/Zumarragako zenbait lagunen omenaldi xumea" (2019). In these three albums the beginner will be able to rediscover several Basque rock bands such as Negu Gorriak, Su Ta Gar, M-ak, Kiowak, Delirium Tremens, Bukaera, Willis Drummond, Zura, Anari, Akauzazte, Ama Say Borrokan, Musergo, Eten, Lisabö, Berri Txarrak, BAP !!, Pottoka, Karkaxa, Hiri Galduak, Txost!, Narrax or Klak!son, approaching in an unusual but attractive way, the rich songbook of Mr. Laboa. This Basque singer-songwriter has a website, which contains abundant information on musical legacy, as well as biographical data, photographs and various reviews ( https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mikel_Laboa ) ... Essential, bros!!

From three studio albums of Kortatu band, "Kortatu" (1985), "El estado de las cosas" (1986) and "Kolpez kolpe" (1988), another musical path that would arrive until Negu Gorriak band (in basque, Red/Raw Winters). "The dissolution of Kortatu had to do with a spirit of constant renewal, with the search for new ways of expression. There was also the theme of the language, we wanted to move from combining basque (euskera) and spanish to trying to achieve an exclusive use of basque within Negu Gorriak ". As can be seen on the back cover of Kortatu's last live album, "Azken guda dantza" (1988), Fermin Muguruza wore a striking patch with the mythical logo of Public Enemy band on his jacket.

Negu Gorriak was new and daring project of rap & rock was devised by Fermin and Iñigo Muguruza next to Kaki Arkarazo, the formidable guitarist of M-ak, an amazing Basque rock group. They were inspired by the powerful combative rap of Public Enemy. "When we heard Public Enemy´s ´albums by first time, we were able to observe the group's overall concept. They were the Black Panthers of rap and used that rhythm as a channel of communication between the disadvantaged ". But it is quite clear that the first song recorded by Negu Gorriak was a rap version of Mikel Laboa´s "Gaberako aterbea". The lyrics of this song would inspire the group's own name. ".... negu gorrian gizon batek, gauero, aterbea bilatzen du bilutsirik daudenentzat".

Negu Gorriak, after the edition of the debut album, "Negu Gorriak" (1991), joined a young drummer, Mikel Abrego (BAP !!), and a long-haired bassist called Mikel Kazalis (Anestesia). With them inside, Negu Gorriak would grow to become the largest ensemble in the whole history of basque rock, planning tours around the world, creating Esan Ozenki Records, a fundamental record label in the Basque Country. The beginner should listen, at least once in his life, such powerful albums such as "Gure jarrera" (1992), "Borreroak baditu milaka aurpegi" (1993), "Idea Zabaldu" (1995) or "Salam, agur" (1996). Inside is preserved the best rock sound of 90´s.

The role of guitarist and producer Kaki Arkarazo is key to understanding the great commercial and artistic success of Negu Gorriak. In the 80's, while the Muguruza brothers enjoyed an overwhelming fame thanks to Kortatu's punk ska hymns, Kaki Arkarazo led the very elegant but very misunderstood M-ak band. When the spanish rap scene was in its infancy, M-ak group recorded in Basque lenguage some versions of Public Enemy ("Sophisticated Bitch") or invited a rookie Fermin Muguruza to rap with them ("Bloody Mary"). The discreet Kaki would bequeath for the posterity a handful of discs of true cult for many people, "MMMM" (1983), "Emeak eta harrak" (1985), "Zuloa" (1987), "Barkatu ama" (1989) and "Gor" (1990), alongside Xabier Montoia (founder and first vocalist of Hertzainak band) and musicians of good level like Irantzu Silva, Angel G. Katarain, Mikel Irazoki or Anje Valdes. The musical saga of the Arkarazo family continues thanks to the good work of Kaki´s sons, Martxel and Luken. Martxel Arkarazo is a respected music producer, while Luken Arkarazo played in Odolaren Mintzoa, an basque rock band responsible for the interesting albums such as "Odolaren mintzoa" (2013) or "Etsipenaren aurka" (2017).

The dissolution of Negu Gorriak band was not very traumatic and, in addition, opened new avenues of sonorous expression within the basque rock scene. The beginner could explore a good part of the best basque music later, only following the tracks recorded by the five members of this popular basque combo, Fermin Muguruza, Iñigo Muguruza (Joxe Ripiau, Sagarroi, Lurra), Mikel Kazalis (Anestesia, 2Kate, Kuraia, Matxura) and Mikel Abrego (Parafünk, Anari, -gailu, Inoren Ero Ni). No doubt, in every way, Fermin Muguruza has been the one who has achieved the greatest impact. Thanks to his brief union with DUT, a young basque post-rock band, Fermin would publish a singular and fierce album, "Ireki ateak" (1998). In this work, Fermin was reunited with Mikel Laboa, who brought a certain serenity to the theme "Gazteluak". 

Afterwards, Fermin Muguruza would start a long and solid solo career, which already includes several recordings, comics, films ("Zuloak"), documentaries and new music labels (Talka Records). "When I went to Jamaica to record the album "Euskal Herria Jamaica Clash", I felt almost obliged to shoot the whole process, and from there was born my film "Bass-que culture" (2006). Beginner have guaranteed a tasty ration of Jamaican root beats with Fermin Muguruza´s albums, por example, "Brigadistak" (1999), "FM 99.00 Dub Manifest" (2000), "Inkomunikazioa" (2002), "Euskal Herria Jamaika Clash" (2006) or "Asthmatic Lion sound system". In his most recent works Fermin Muguruza´s style has mutated again. This popular basque artist has lived in several places in the world, Barcelona ("Black is Beltza. ASM Sessions") or the reborn New Orleans, where he formed "Nola?" (2015), a curious album composed by themes of his stage of Kortatu and Negu Gorriak bands remodeled, completely, thanks to the help of a great jazz band of musicians from Louisiana (USA).

Iñigo Muguruza, like his brother Fermin, has also shown an enormous interest in Caribbean rhythms. Their proposals have been quite risky, but they have always managed to calm down among fans, even beyond the limited Basque territory and the echo of work of Kortatu or Negu Gorriak band. In the late 90's, Iñigo Muguruza would surprise everyone by leading Joxe Ripiau, a peculiar band created after a trip to Puerto Rico. In this island Iñigo met perico ripiao, a traditional rhythm. Joxe Ripiau is one of the most recommended groups for the uninitiated in the music sung in euskera (basque lenguage), although it is also a delirious project that fuses without fear dance rhythms little heard in Euskal Herria, like cumbia or merengue. The beginner who now discovers the four studio albums of Joxe Ripiau, "Positive bomb" (1996), "Karpe diem" (1997), "Paradisu zinema" (1999) and "Bizitza triste eta ederra" (2000), will not return to believe this topical assumption that the timid Basques do not dance with hot intentions.

After the dissolution of Joxe Ripiau band, Iñigo Muguruza launched new musical projects, each one better. One of them was Sagarroi band, a trio of hardcore rock who evolved into ska, punk and Caribbean rhythms. Proof of this are his five studio albums of Sagarroi, "Meatzaldea" (2001), "Euria ari duela" (2003), "Toulouse" (2004), "Baleike" (2007) and "Haikua" (2009). Iñigo Muguruza would release three great pop reggae albums with Lurra band (in basque, Earth), as "Lurra" (2012), "Akatsa Sisteman" (2014) and "Hasierak" (2018). After a forced break, Iñigo announced his return to the front of new rock band, Hiru Leike, in 2018. He was accompanied on this new adventure by vocalist Ane Odriozola, member of Indidxabak band. Note, Iñigo dead in September 2019... Farewell, bro!!

But if we talk about the Muguruza brothers, we can´t forget Jabier Muguruza, the older brother. The musical career of Jabier has gone through different lands to those of Fermin and Iñigo. Although not so much... Since in the agitated 80s, in the concerts of Kortatu band, it was not rare to listen to the accordion of Jabier Muguruza and, already in the decade of the 90, Jabier would accompany to its brother Iñigo in the amazing project basque-caribbean Joxe Ripiau. The beginner who is encouraged to explore the music universe of Jabier Muguruza should know that in him, tranquility is a plus. "I address my listeners in an individual way and I communicate clearly, but without shouting, what I consider important in life. For this I surround myself with great poets in my same vital and literary harmony and great musicians, Connoisseurs of the concept that I try to develop".

Javier Muguruza has been adapting to several of the best Basque poets and has worked with musicians as Mikel Azpiroz, Txema Garcés or Roberto Yaben. Jabier's discography is quite extensive, but nothing is left over, for example, "Boza barruan" (1994), "Kitarra bat nintzen" (1996), "Aise" (1997), "Fiordoan" (1999), "Hain guapa zaude" (2001), "Enegarren postala", "Abenduak 28" (2005), "Konplizeak" (2007), "Taxirik ez" (2009), "Bikote bat" (2012), "Beste hogei" (2014), "Toneti anaiak" (2016) or "Leiho bat zabalik" (2017). Apart, Jabier Muguruza published three fascinating albums, "Erabakia" (1991), "Ia xoragarria" (1992) and "Euskadi, jende gutxi" (1993) with Les Mecaniciens band, a notable basque pop jazz band, halfway between the echo of an ultra-classy charanga and a lively popular jazz orchestra.

Although Les Mecaniciens band had the sweet voice of Ane Irazu, unfortunately, they aren´t well known within Basque Country. The beginner will savor with them a lot of rich sound cocktails, such as "Ene jaka zaharra", "Gure turista", "Kontestadore alua" or perhaps, the most emotive song ever recorded in Basque lenguage, "Haurrak haunditzen doaz" (in english, "The children continue to grow"). Later, Ane Irazu, alongside several members of Les Mecaniciens band, would be part of Mo'Mau, another basque pop jazz band. They would publish a beautiful, but brief album, "Mo'Mau" (1996), with five beautiful songs, "Goizean", "Mau Mau", "Freaktime, "Sport´ein" and "De viaje". In 1997, Mo'Mau band would dare to include a salacious version of the song "Kaos" inside an album of homage to RIP, a very famous basque punk band... Biba zuek!!