Genre: Gypsy/Flamenco Year: 2003 Country: Spain Label: Intentcity Records Web: Official Site Details: Tracks & Audio
Unless you've been living under a rock for the last 10 years, chances are you're familiar with the Gipsy Kings and flamenco music. If you're familiar with Alabina (the song "Salma Ya Salama" was a big international hit a few years back), then Los Nińos de Sara, the musical muscle behind Alabina, will sound familiar. Cousins of the Gipsy Kings, Los Nińos de Sara have been playing together as a group for some time. Tonio (lead vocals and guitar), Coco (singer and percussion), Santi (singer and guitar), and Ramon (singer and guitar) have cross-pollinated on this record with an enjoyable blend of flamenco and Cuban music.
Spanish singer Joaquín Sabina had similar ideas nearly a decade ago on his album Esta Boca Es Mía. From the flamenco of "Ruido" to Cuban legend Pablo Milanés joining him on the salsa "La Casa Por La Ventana", he flirted with both styles but never merged them. Los Nińos de Sara, touted as "Gipsy Kings Meet Buena Vista Social Club", took the next step on this album featuring a dozen songs that are highly energetic and will easily fill up the dance floor. Though they avoid big risks and stick to what should be a very commercial sound for them, Los Nińos de Sara could have taken more chances on this album. Let me put it this way, if the Gipsy Kings came out with a techno remix album tomorrow, I would be first in line for it. There's a genuine climate now that's agreeable to harvesting these types of projects, from the eclectic Manu Chao to Kinky, even Johnny Cash covering U2 and Nine Inch Nails, and they should take advantage of it since they're on to something.
They certainly have an appealing combination as the amalgam of tropical rhythms commingled with a melancholy gypsy voice and guitars works well. Sometimes it's successful: "La Cubanita", "Cae La Nieve" and "Una Muchacha" make for great dance numbers. Other times the production is overwrought: "Somos Gitanos" and "Vagabundo" are too trite lyrically for an overly produced salsa sound that lacks oomph.
The most unique song on the album, "Mizai Mizai", is a jewel that flirts with flamenco and Middle Eastern flavors with complemented by a gorgeous mandolin. "Me Encuentro En Tu Desierto", also quite distinctive, has a more somber tone than the rest of the album.
The album will definitely not disappoint those looking for a safe combination of two very diverse musical forms that manages to maintain passion and authenticity.
Los Ninős de Sara Gipsyole
