Customer Reviews

Gypsy Flamenco

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On the technical side of the recording, this album didn't deserve to be on SACD. It's studio engineering is doubdtful at best, not leaving sufficient basic qualities on tape to transfer on such a high resolution format. The surround layer is unlistenable, as if they were sitting in a tunnel when it was recorded. The stereo layer of the SACD is better balanced, but nowhere near all other quality recordings by most other jazz and classical artists. Bottom line: This singer/musician sounds more like a seasoned amateur who recorded his album down in his basement.

This is an SACD multi-channel remastering of a 1994 CD album, and the sound is excellent. (The album, of 53 minutes duration, is playable on regular CD players, too.) Coming from the city of Traina, just across the Rio Guadalquivir from Sevilla, Carlos Heredia plays contemporary flamenco strongly rooted in traditional forms. Some chords and phrases, particularly in the tangos, are influenced by New World popular and jazz musics, but nothing is radical. It just sounds modern, which is part of the continual development of flamenco. Heredia is supported by palmeros (hand clappers), cajon percussion, acoustic bass, and an 18-year old cantaor, whose voice, while boyish, is still powerful and emotive. The lyrics are not provided, but a brief glossary is included. Heredia's performance is very fine and inventive. Having come freshly from Andalusia, this album continues my musical experiences and reminds me of another young guitarist of the Heredia clan I met in Granada. Carlos Heredia's style, his musical voice, is unique and refreshing. He found a middle position from the classical forms and the very jazzy improvisations in flamenco nuevo.

Gypsy Flamenco tiene un nombre que puede llevar a confusion. Puesto que es el tipico titulo de ciertas compilaciones de dudosa categoria orientadas al novato. Sin embargo esta es una obra maestra tanto en el cante como en la guitarra. Carlos Heredia tiene una tecnica exquisita y una de las mejores alzapuas que haya oido. Lo unico no tan extraordinario es el uso del cajon peruano que esta demasiado fuerte en algunas piezas. En resumen excelente.