The Catalonian band Ojos de Brujo has been the most recognized of a neo-flamenco movement emerging from Barcelona in recent years. Their newest collection Techarí continues their previous style of melding hip-hop with flamenco.
On this album they expand their exploration of Arabic and North African music, beyond the natural afinity between those styles with flamenco, as well as incorporating other styles. The North African influence is especially evident in the song Todo Tiende. The lyrics(in Calo, Catalan, and Spanish) of the group, by singer and main writer Marina, explore both personal issues and broader politics concerning globalization and feminism. Guest rappers in English join on the song Runalí. Several songs No Somos Machinas with its Cuban piano, Bailores a rumba/salsa, Corre Lola Corre a reggae ballad, incorporate Caribbean styles. Lyrically No Somos Machinas (We’re Not Machines) shows the band’s leftists politics most clearly.
Corre Lola Corre:
Also available(Summer 2007), from online sources such as emusic, is a collection of remixes and alternative versions of six songs from Techarí. The selection begins with a slow, gentle version of Corre Lola Corre with only vocals and piano. Feedback is remade in mid-nineties style trip-hop with jazz piano, electronic twitches, and a flamenco percussion box by Bhangra artist Nitin Sawhney.
The London Elektricity club remakes Silencio in hard drum and bass with only Marina singing “Silencio” and random notes. With Todo Tiende, The Nasha experience also uses drum and bass’s ultra fast break beats, while Panko remakes the song in Bhangra.
Official site: http://www.ojosdebrujo.com/
Ojos de Brujo are absolutely fantastic! I did a Google search and your blog came up; I’m glad to know there’s someone else out there as passionate!
Ojos de Brujo are one of my favourite groups.
Thanks