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When Cameron de la Isla (real name José Monge Cruz) died prematurely at age 42, Spain officially declared that "flamenco has been orphaned." Such was the impact of this singer that he is regarded as the most important vocalist in flamenco's history. This three-CD box set includes 36 recordings from the beginning of de la Isla's recorded career. Flush with the vigor of his 18 years, he is accompanied by the now legendary guitarist Paco de Lucia, himself only 21. De la Isla's voice, not yet showing the ravages of his hard-living style, is full of passion and a directness that is unavoidable. He turned the flamenco world on its head during the period of these recordings, between 1969 and 1971, combining these qualities with his (then) revolutionary style--that nevertheless paid respect to tradition. De Lucia's guitar is both sympathetic and virtuosic. Occasionally on second guitar is Ramon de Algeciras, no slouch himself, but the spotlight is on the astonishing partnership of the two stars. No flamenco or Gypsy collection is complete without Cameron de la Isla, and these are the recordings that started it all.
--Derek Rath
