Heart of the City (album)

Heart of the City is the fourth album by the Spanish group Barrabás, released in 1975. The album charted at #149 on the Billboard 200 in the US, and was later re-released on CD in Spain as Check Mate.

This album was the first to feature Daniel Louis on drums, after the departure of José María Moll.

"Checkmate" / "Family Size" and "Make It Easy" / "Take a Wild Ride" were released as singles. The instrumental "Mellow Blow" was one of the first 12-inch singles to be released, and the first ever on Atlantic Records.

Track listing

 * 1) "Checkmate" (Fernando Arbex) – 4:28
 * 2) "Take a Wild Ride" (E. Morales, M. Morales, Ernesto Duarte, Daniel Louis) – 4:00
 * 3) "Along the Shore" (Duarte, José Luís Tejada) – 6:06
 * 4) "Make It Easy" (E. Morales, M. Morales) – 3:54
 * 5) "Family Size" (Arbex) – 3:21
 * 6) "Mellow Blow" (E. Morales) – 4:12
 * 7) "Thank You Love" (E. Morales, M. Morales) – 4:45
 * 8) "Four Season Woman" (Arbex) – 3:57

Personnel

 * José Luís Tejada – lead vocals
 * Enrique "Ricky" Morales – lead and acoustic guitars, backing vocals
 * Miguel Morales – bass guitar, rhythm and acoustic guitars, backing vocals
 * Ernesto "Tito" Duarte – saxophone, flute, percussion, bass guitar
 * Juan Vidal – keyboards, backing vocals
 * Daniel Louis – drums, percussion
 * "The Waters" (Maxine, Julia & Patti) – backing vocals
 * Produced by Fernando Arbex
 * Recorded at Blue Rock Studios, New York

Release information

 * Spain – Ariola Eurodisc
 * Germany – Ariola 89 267 XOT
 * USA & Canada – Atco SD 36-118
 * Italy – Atlantic W50165
 * Disconforme DISC 1993CD (2001 CD) – (as Check Mate)
 * Wounded Bird WOBR6118 (2008 CD)