Listening to the opening of “Spanish Sea,” you may be forgiven for thinking that this sounds like classic Toto. That gentle pulse, effortless percussion, locked in piano and bass groove are hallmarks of their mid-’80s sound. It is no surprise to find out that “Spanish Sea” was initially demoed during this halcyon era – coming off the back of their critically acclaimed 1982 album Toto IV, this track was part of the sessions for the follow-up, 1984’s Isolation.
Toto ultimately completed the track more than 30 years later, including “Spanish Sea” on 2018’s 40 Trips Around the Sun and then Old Is New, from later the same year.
“It’s one that didn’t make it and we had to re-write it including creating a new chorus,” Steve Lukather subsequently remembered. “Thanks to modern tech, we were able to play once again with not only our 20-something selves but with our dear brothers Jeff and Mike Porcaro reminding us just how deep their groove was.”
I asked Lukather about the recording process, and how it felt to play with Jeff and Mike once again, as part of an exclusive Something Else! Sitdown: “Bittersweet. It was tough to hear their voices pre-take … but wonderful at the same time. No one plays like those guys!”
That Porcaro groove is unmistakable, and the pulse actually feels similar to the loop in “Africa,” leading me to think that the absence of a chorus was only part of the reason “Spanish Sea” didn’t make the cut. It perhaps also sounded too close to their prior No. 1. Not being one to rest on their laurels, it would not surprise me if Toto decided not to include this track as it was a reminder of their previous sound, and didn’t fit with the harder edge of Isolation.
History aside, we now have the song to enjoy. With a new chorus, “Spanish Sea” is credited to Lukather, David Paich, Steve Porcaro and Joseph Williams. Lead vocals are shared by Williams and Paich. The falsetto and rich harmonies are superb, with backing contributions from Mark T. Williams (Joe’s brother) and Timothy B. Schmidt, who also sang backing vocals on the Toto IV sessions.
Solos from this track include a zippy and dynamic synth lead, courtesy of Steve Porcaro, bringing a fresh take to the classic Toto sound. There is also a restrained melodic guitar solo from Steve Lukather, which was kept from the original recording. As Lukather told me: “That was from 1985. Dave just wanted me to play the melody.”
Despite boasting decades-old elements, the sound is exceptional. Credit goes to the engineering and mixing: “Old meets new but since legendary pal Al Schmitt cut the tracks, and Bob Clearmountain mixed,” Lukather said on Toto’s official site. “It sounds like it was done 2 weeks ago not 30-plus years ago!”
“Spanish Sea” is a wonderful reminder of how talented Toto were – and are – as songwriters and musicians, but also proof of how strong the bonds of friendship and brotherhood remain. Revisiting unfinished tracks that feature departed brothers Jeff and Mike Porcaro paid tribute to their legacy, while also building on an era when Toto were on top of the world.
- Toto, “Spanish Sea” from ‘Old Is New’ (2018): Toto Tuesdays - June 15, 2021
- Toto, “Devil’s Tower” from ‘Old Is New’ (2018): Toto Tuesdays - May 11, 2021
- Toto, “Alone” from ‘Old Is New’ (2018): Toto Tuesdays - April 27, 2021
