Picture a sun-drenched city. The heat of summer that bordered on the oppressive has receded and people are starting to move around again. The city is Seville. Dancers are putting their shoes on, musicians picking up their instruments. People are arriving from far and wide for the Flamenco Festival, an exciting and vibrant celebration of this spectacular art form that happens only every two years. There isn’t a better city with a better time of year to record a Flamenco album. Musicians and dancers steeped in Flamenco, who have Flamenco in their blood are all in Seville, along with other musicians whose trademark is joyful expression, innate rhythm and musicality. Flamenco Havana was recorded in Seville using these musicians and the result is a Latin melting pot of hugely dynamic talent. Ranging from up-beat Spanish songs accompanied by all-enveloping Cuban percussion that grabs you with strength and vitality, to pure Flamenco vocals. Songs of love, loss, passion and regret delivered with power and authenticity. The Cuban brass section joyfully sizzles its way through the album accompanied by palmadas with gunshot handclaps. Marvel at the footwork track in which you can almost smell the smoke coming from the young Flamenco dancer’s feet as he pounds complex rhythms into the floor. A didgeridoo makes a guest appearance as a magical accompaniment to a Flamenco vocal track. Brainchild of Ramon Ruiz and Anita La Maltesa who provide vocals, guitar and footwork, Flamenco Havana also features the critically acclaimed Rafael Rodriguez on guitar with Segundo Falcon and El Extremeno on vocals. Hot city, hot music. “A powerful combination driven by passion” David Freeman, Jazz FM. Track Listing 1. Ese Mal Amigo 3:11 2. Carrito Arriero (bulería) 4:35 3. Hermano 2:55 4. Andandi (tango) 1:58 5. Odiame 3:29 6. Chiquero (bulería) 3:42 7. Caminito de la Alhambra (tango) 4:40 8. Alpujarra (taranto) 5:13 9. Cavatina 2:17 10. Jueves (saeta) 2:56 Total Time: |
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