Mondo Flamenco CD

To many, flamenco is Spain -- its essence distilled in music. And this compilation attempts to capture the many facets of flamenco that bring the transcendent moment of duende. And there's certainly a variety, like the stunning guitar work of Paco De Lucia, whose "La Canada" is a joy. But there are also artists who ignore the traditional barriers, such as Tomatito, whose track uses the very non-traditional flamenco instrument of piano, or Pata Negra, who makes their flamenco electric. The music grew from the Andalusian styles brought in centuries ago by Spain's North African conquerors, and "Coge La Onda," from El Lebrijano, takes the music home with desert rhythms and swooping Arab strings in an adventurous fusion that works perfectly from both ends. So while there's plenty of the tradition, like the great Enrique Morente, there's also ample progressive flamenco. Kudos to something well put together. ~ Chris Nickson

This is part of Mondo Melodia's Mondo series.

Includes liner notes by Gerald Seligman.

Personnel: Juan Carmona (vocals, guitar, hand claps, palmas); Peña "El Lebrijano", Jose Miguel Carmona (vocals, guitar); Hassan Jebelhbibi (vocals, percussion); Chonchi Heredia, Rafael Catizo, Jesus Bola, Diego Carrasco, Garcia Paloma, Reduan Ali Koumich, Abdesselam Naiti, paloma Olier, Kanun, Domingo Vargas, Maribel Martin, Rafael de los Reyes Plantón, Peligros, Beachu Garcia, Remedios Amaya (vocals); Ruben Dantas (guitar, percussion); Rafael Amador, Moraito Chico, Raimundo Amador, Tomatito, Vicente Amigo, Paco de Lucia (guitar); Carlos Benavent (mandola); Bernardo Pamtla, Faical Koumich (violin); Gil Goldstein (accordion); Jorge Pardo (soprano saxophone); Juan Peña Dorantes (piano); Aziz Abdellah (double bass); Tino Di Geraldo (drums, tabla, percussion); Pedro Barcetó (drums); Jose Fernandez, Antonio Carmona, Enrique Heredia, José Bandolero, Guardiana, Doctor Keli, Manuel Soler, Ramón "El Portugués" (hand claps, percussion, palmas); Juan José Suarez Paquete, Pedro Peña, Pedro María Peña, Gran Canarias, Juan Luis "Maera" Vega (hand claps, palmas); Antonio Coronel, Joselín Varga, Youssef Bou-Oud (percussion); Ramirez (dancer); Botasgordas, Ferpu (palmas).

Liner Note Author: Gerald Seligman .