Customer Reviews

Rumba Flamenca

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Either this or the other Orfeon compilation _Sevillanas_ (some overlap of material) gives you a powerful, unadulterated, and totally gypsy introduction to the "(inter)national dances" of Andalucia. Simple voice, guitar and palmas capture the essence. I am a flamenco aficionado; my dancer friends and I use this to practice our sevillana steps in the basement :)

Check out Carlos Saura's soundtrack _Sevillanas_ for a more diverse sampling.

When you buy an unknown group, it can be a little scary. Well, Manolo and his Gypsies have turned out to be really impressive! Want to know what tradition the Gipsy Kings are coming from? Listen to this CD! You get to hear the real thing, without a lot of influence from other cultures and unnecessary instruments. Manolo's voice is clear (doesn't sound like he's been smoking three packs a day!) and the playing is delightfully clean, unencumbered, a real pleasure. You'll hear two styles: sevillanas and rumba flamenca. The latter is what you hear so much of in the Gipsy Kings' music. The sevillana is a lovely dance that has become very popular in Spain with a fascinating mix of rhythms in three and five. Whether you're dancing to this or just listening, you'll find this CD to be a real treat after all the over-instrumentation of Spanish music that has happened over the past ten years.

I should know, I lived in Andalucia for almost four years. This reminds me or rather, makes me nostalgic about, going to the Feria, which starts in late April in Sevilla and May in Jerez de la Frontera. This is true flamenco, and you will love it.