“Nuevas Mezclas” – A Bold Fusion of Spanish Rock, Poetic Lyrics, and Sonic Experimentation
"Ultima de la Fila" was a successful Spanish pop rock group based in Barcelona, Spain. Formed in 1985 by Manolo García and Quimi Portet, the group released a total of 7 full-length albums before disbanding in early 1998. Nuevas mezclas was their third album and released in February 1987
In the vibrant Spanish music scene of the late 1980s, Último de la Fila's "Nuevas Mezclas" emerged as a bold and innovative project. Released in 1987, this album marked a turning point for the band, showcasing a sonic exploration that pushed the boundaries of pop-rock in Spain.
Historical Context
Emerging from the post-Franco era, Spanish music was experiencing a creative renaissance. Bands were experimenting with new sounds, incorporating international influences, and reflecting the social and cultural changes of the time. Último de la Fila, with their poetic lyrics and unique sound, had already gained recognition in this scene. However, "Nuevas Mezclas" marked a departure from their earlier folk-rock style.
Musical Exploration
"Nuevas Mezclas" was a sonic adventure, incorporating elements of rock, pop, flamenco, and even Middle Eastern music. The album's title, meaning "New Mixes," aptly reflected the band's willingness to experiment with different sounds and arrangements. Songs like "Insurrección" and "El Loco de la Calle" were characterized by their energetic rhythms, catchy melodies, and powerful vocals.
The album also featured more introspective and melancholic tracks like "Querida Milagros" showcasing the band's versatility and emotional range. This blend of contrasting styles created a unique and engaging listening experience.
Production Team and Studio
The album was produced by the band's frontman, Manolo García, and guitarist Quimi Portet, who were the creative forces behind Último de la Fila. They collaborated with a talented team of musicians and sound engineers, recording the album at Estudios Perpinya in Barcelona and TRAK studios in Madrid. The album was mixed at Aosis Audiovisual in London, giving it an international touch.
Musicians and Frontman
The core members of Último de la Fila were Manolo García (vocals, percussion), Quimi Portet (guitars, keyboards), Antonio Fidel (bass), and Ángel Celada (drums). They were joined by a group of talented session musicians who contributed to the album's diverse sound. Manolo García's passionate vocals and poetic lyrics were central to the band's appeal, and his charisma on stage made them a popular live act.
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Music Genre: Latin Rock |
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Album Production Information: The album: "ULTIMO DE LA FILA – Nuevas Mezclas" was produced by: M Garcia, Q. Portel This album was recorded at: Aprilia Studios , Estudios Perpinyá , TRAK Album cover design: M. Garcia Album cover photography: Bob Collins |
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Record Label & Catalognr: PDI – E-30.1207 |
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Media Format: 12" LP Vinyl Stereo Gramophone RecordTotal Album (Cover+Record) weight: 230 gram |
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Year & Country: 1987 Spain |
Personnel/Band Members and Musicians on: ULTIMO DE LA FILA – Nuevas Mezclas |
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Complete Track-listing of the album "ULTIMO DE LA FILA – Nuevas Mezclas" |
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The detailed tracklist of this record "ULTIMO DE LA FILA – Nuevas Mezclas" is:
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The back cover of Último de la Fila's album Nuevas Mezclas presents a black-and-white version of the front cover’s intimate bathtub embrace. The scene features a man and a woman locked in a passionate hug, their bodies partially submerged in water. The woman's eyes are open, gazing forward with a slight smile, while the man presses his face closely against her neck, reinforcing the emotional intensity of the image. The bathroom tiles in the background provide a stark contrast to the subjects.
Above the image, the band's name, El Último de la Fila, is displayed in bold, stylized orange text, followed by the names of band members Manolo García and Quimi Portet. Below the image, album production details, recording studio locations, and engineering credits are listed in vibrant orange text, which stands out against the monochrome background. In the top left corner, a small inset photograph features the two band members, adding a personal touch to the design. The lower left corner contains the PDI logo and catalog information, reinforcing the album’s professional production details.
The inner sleeve of Último de la Fila's album Nuevas Mezclas features a deep blue background with white text, creating a striking contrast that highlights the song lyrics and production credits. The text is neatly organized into sections, each dedicated to a different track from the album. The left side presents lyrics for songs such as El Loco de la Calle, Aviones Plateados, and Querida Milagros, while the right side continues with additional tracks like Lejos de las Leyes de los Hombres and ¿Quién Eres Tú?.
The lyrics are formatted in a structured manner, listing the contributing musicians and their respective instruments before each song's verses. The names of the band members, songwriters, and engineers appear throughout, crediting their roles in the production.
At the bottom right corner, small black-and-white photographs capture moments from the band's live performances, adding a visual element to the otherwise text-heavy design. These images depict the band on stage, immersed in the energy of their music, reinforcing the dynamic and emotive atmosphere of the album.
This design choice gives the sleeve a classic, elegant feel while ensuring that all textual details remain highly legible and well-structured.
The second inner sleeve of Último de la Fila's album Nuevas Mezclas continues the deep blue background with white text format, providing a clear and structured presentation of additional song lyrics and album credits. This page includes lyrics for tracks such as Insurrección, Son Cuatro Días, No Me Acostumbro, Soy un Accidente, Mi Patria en Mis Zapatos, and Dulces Sueños. Each song section lists the musicians and their instruments before displaying the lyrics in a poetic, verse-like format.
The text is arranged in columns, ensuring a clean and readable layout. At the bottom left corner, a black-and-white photograph of the band members is placed within a rectangular frame. The image shows them standing behind a chain-link fence, their expressions serious, adding a moody and contemplative touch to the design.
Additionally, a short literary excerpt, attributed to Thomas De Quincey, is included at the bottom of the page, reinforcing the album’s artistic and introspective nature. The overall composition maintains an elegant yet minimalistic feel, focusing on the lyrical and musical essence of the record.
This image shows Side A of Último de la Fila's album Nuevas Mezclas on vinyl. The record label at the center is designed with a swirling, abstract pattern in orange and white, creating a visually dynamic effect. The label's typography is clean and structured, with a mix of bold and regular fonts for clarity.
At the top, the label features the logo of PDI, the record company, in bold black letters. Below it, essential technical details are displayed, including "STEREO," the catalog number "30.1207," and playback speed "33 r.p.m." The legal deposit number "B.9.910-1987" and "SGAE" copyright information are also listed.
In the middle, the album title, El Último de la Fila, is prominently displayed, followed by the tracklist for Side A. The songs and their durations are printed in black text:
Each track includes songwriting credits, referencing members M. García García-Pérez and Q. Portet, with publishing rights attributed to "Ego Musical" and "Xarxelo Ediciones Musicales."
The bottom right section contains production and manufacturing details, indicating that the record was "Fabricado en España por Sonic, S.A." with an address in Barberá del Vallés (Barcelona). A legal notice in Spanish warns against unauthorized public use, and a small copyright notice states that the album was produced in 1987 by PDI, S.A.
The hole in the center of the label is precisely aligned, allowing for correct placement on a turntable. The glossy black vinyl surrounding the label contrasts with the bright orange and white pattern, highlighting the record’s sleek appearance.
This image displays Side B of Último de la Fila's album Nuevas Mezclas on vinyl. The label features an abstract swirl pattern in orange and white, radiating from the center hole in a hypnotic design. The background contrasts sharply with the black text, which presents the album's track information and production details.
At the top of the label, the PDI logo is printed in bold black letters. Just below it, the text "STEREO," catalog number "30.1207," and playback speed "33 r.p.m." are clearly marked. The acronym "SGAE" appears beneath, indicating the record’s copyright registration.
On the right side, a legal disclaimer in Spanish states: "Prohibida su utilización pública sin autorización de los propietarios. Permiso en trámite," meaning public use is prohibited without authorization, with a legal permit pending.
Centered below the main text, the album title, El Último de la Fila, is displayed in uppercase letters. Directly underneath, the tracklist for Side B is printed in black, each song followed by its duration:
Songwriting credits follow each title, attributing compositions to M. García García-Pérez and Q. Portet. Publishing rights are listed under "Xarxelo Ediciones Musicales" and "Ego Musical."
The center hole of the record is visible, precisely aligned for placement on a turntable. The surrounding glossy black vinyl contrasts with the bright and energetic label design, emphasizing the album's unique visual style.