Left Ear Records take their second foray into the archives of musician Jesús Mª Catalán, on this occasion cherry-picking seven previously unreleased pieces. Recorded between 1987 and 1990, with the assistance of long-standing collaborator, Julián C. Pérez, and under the moniker Respuesta Alternativa, the music draws inspiration from Jesus’ native surroundings, the green mountainous Asturian coast, in northwest Spain.

This selection of later works finds the pair moving away from the earlier set’s guitar-based post-punk / new wave funk to incorporate machines and samples. Several of the tracks are short sketches, experiments with then new technology that feature field recorded details such as birds, cicadas, church bells, and moody monastic chant. 

Of the fully formed numbers, Asturtxal, a bouncing, mid-tempo moment with bright, whistling synths, could have been plucked from an afro / cosmic playlist. Del Silencio on the other hand would have been, still could be, a bit hit on The Balearics. A bottom-end heavy, but decidedly romantic groove, with swooning swells, and congas of a tropical timbre, it could very comfortably sip a sunset cocktail in the company of, say, Linda Di Franco.

Old Bass also boasts a classic bongo-driven “Balearic Beat”. Gentle chimes riding its boss slapped b-line, while a funky organ simultaneously summons sustained swirls and jazzy grind, further colouring the cool chug. The combination, in this case, recalling the White Isle-favoured fusion of folks like Opafire.

Respuesta Alternativa’s Del Silencio has been out for a while now, on Left Ear Records.