Customer Reviews

Buika

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I first heard snippets on the BBC and I was already hooked. Between YouTube and Amazon I listened to pieces of this album and finally made the purchase. I was not disappointed. Buika, self titled after María Concepción Balboa Buika, aka Concha Buika, has a fabulous voice that is alternately clear or smoky, sexy, soulful, de tona clásica, ethnic yet traditional and mature and it demonstrates strengths in flamenco, copla, jazz, and rhythm and blues. Her phrasing and timing are excellent.

The album does suffer a couple weak selections - not that keen on "Little freaky girl" as it smacks of pop influence. She's better than the song. My favorites: "New afro Spanish generation" "Jodida pero contenta" ""Tu caramelo" and "Nostalgias".

She's an award winner (the award for Best Produced Album at the Premios de la Musica) for a previous album and she has worked with top notch musicians. This album, though a tad uneven, is recommended. Lastly, listen and enjoy "Soleá de libertad" a slow, jazzy, totally Spanish musical meal. The last two selections round out the meal with catchy, pieces that allow the musicians, percussion and technicians a chance to round out this project.

I have devoured just about every recording Concha Buika has recorded since I first came upon her videos on YouTube. She is an exceptional talent that plays diverse styles as is evident on this disc. My introduction was her flamenco fusion music which can be found here on tracks like the wonderful "Jodida Pero Conternta." On this track her vocals soar in modern "flamencoese" as she adds bits of jazzy funk to the mix. Another track that is in similar vein is "Tu Caramelo" with less influence on the flamenco and more emphasis on funky-jazzy-r&b flavors. It is her inspirational voice that is filled with so much emotion that really penetrates your soul. She is seductive as is evident on the smoky " Hablame" where she goes bilingual and breaks into a scat English version as she says talk to me. Great stuff. Although I prefer her discs that are predominantly nuevo flamenco likeMi Niña Lola she displays her multi talented vocals quite eloquently here. For example,"Se Me Escapan Las Palabras" is a heavily jazz influenced song that makes you a believer in Concha Buikas many musical talents. My favorite track on this disc is "New Afro Spanish Generation" where she again sings in Spanish and English. It is a flamenco fusion song that is quite unique. The backing harnonies are amazing. The song is smooth but rough at the same time.It is an amazing song that is so catchy that you will play it over and over. When I first heard it on YouTube I palyed no less than five times in a row. It is soulfull music that will penetrate and captivate your soul. I highly recommend this disc for a sampling of the different styles the beautiful Concha Buika can play. She excels on all levels. Flamenco, jazz, funk and r&b all sound good when Concha Buika delivers the sweet vocals.

No doubt she has a great talent! There are a few missteps on here, and some fine songs as well. But I am writing this just to point out that, for my money, her 2007, 2008, and 2009 release are all steps forward, so if you are new to her, consider starting with those. The retrospective En mi piel is excellent, but for a single disk I'd take the El ultimo trago where she pairs wit the great Chucho Valdez. Don't miss it!