AMG Review of Blue Moods of Spain

Richie Unterberger
All Music Guide

The shadowy blue-black cover artwork (complete with sultry model) is an obvious homage to vintage cool jazz albums, but Spain's compositions are much more concerned with the dark and restless interiors of the psyche than those you'll find on any 1950s jazz record. It's no secret that Spain are trying to evoke a brooding, late-night atmosphere, and the quartet succeeds at doing this with its seductive drones (with lots of languorous guitar/basslines and shuffle drums) and melancholy, pensive songs. It's very much of a piece.