Somos Gitanos

Gipsy Kings | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (October 2, 2001)
• Original Release Date: 2001
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Nonesuch
• ASIN: B00005OMIJ
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #172,331 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

It's been four years since the last studio album by the multi-guitar ensemble with a penchant for poppy rumba flamenco. Have things changed much with the Gipsy Kings' sound? Absolutely not. Die-hard fans may grow frustrated by the lack of musical progression here, but the group retains the fiery fervor that has characterized their sound for well over a decade, whether playing celebratory dance numbers or romantic ballads. Their layered guitars, passionately soaring vocals, and driving rhythms remain catchy on energetic, upbeat tunes like "Magia del Ritmo," the Latin-flavored "Jo Busco un Camino," and the rambunctious "Solo, Solo Dire." The Gipsy Kings have certainly never sought to play purist flamenco of any sort--they include harp, accordion, keyboards, and Middle Eastern instrumentation on select songs here--but they have popularized Latin guitar for a mass audience without watering down the music's spirit. And all these years later, their music still inspires one to get up and dance. --Bryan Reesman

Product Description

Japanese edition of 2001 album for the world music stars has earlier release than the domestic scheduled for Oct 2nd. 15 tracks including two bonus 'Inspiration' & 'Volare (Nel Blu Di Pinto Di Blu)'. --This text refers to an alternate Audio CD edition.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Gipsy Kings Still at Their Best, November 11, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Somos Gitanos (Audio CD)

I am a big fan of the gipsy kings and have many of their albums. All of their music is incredible and I was hoping that they would put out a new album, and I was in the store recently and someone pointed out this new album to me. I bought the CD and listened to it all that day. It is just incredible music. The songs are full of rhythym and the instrumentals are fantastic. All of the songs on this album are good, not just a few key tracks. This is a must buy for any Gipsy Kings fan or for that matter anybody looking for great music.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars If it is not broke don't fix it, August 15, 2002

By 

Enrique Torres "Rico" (San Diegotitlan, Califas) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Somos Gitanos (Audio CD)

The Reyes gitano family, minus Canut Reyes, released yet another disc last year amidst their greatest hits packages using the same successful formula of pop flamenco. This time around don't look for a new direction, more pure instrumentals (there are two), or pure flamenco, it is pretty much the same as all their other releases. That said, it is a very good disc. "Mi Fandango" rings more true than most of their pop inflected tunes with the soulful mouring of Nicolas Reyes. Nicolas Reyes takes the lead vocals on all but one track and gives the group it's continuity. Coupled with the lead guitar work of original Gipsy King Tomino Baliardo, much of their appealing sound and longevity can be attributed to these two factors. On the one track where the lead is relinquished, entitled "Poquito a Poquito," the familiar sound changes just barely and seems to rely on backup vocals to fill the void without Nicolas Reyes. "Felices Dias" is a pure instrumental song that could fill in nicely on an Ottmar Liebert disc and no one would probably be the wiser. "Flamencos En El Aire" is a lush beautiful song with the a soothing quality that breaks up the fiery tempo of some of the other songs. "Quiero Libertad" is a lamenting song with nice keyboards and harp that adds a worldly texture to the song. The Middle Eastern influences are throughout the disc and help give the pop flamenco some authenticity. The accompanying booklet is odd, it lists the musicians on all the tracks in big print for every song but has no lyrics included. By now we know who they are and the booklet would have been best utilized with words to the songs. Basically if you like the Gipsy Kings you will like this disc, more of the same type of music that has made them world wide favorites. They continue to please their fans with more of the same.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An Exciting Return, December 3, 2001

By 

John "johnmcroy" - See all my reviews

This review is from: Somos Gitanos (Audio CD)

After a hiatus of four years since their last studio album (Compas--not my favorite CD) the Gipsy Kings have come back with music that has all of the energy and vitality of their best work. There is a feeling of newness and creativity to this album that reminds me of some of their early work. This one is turning out to be one of my favorites.