ole?

not too long ago, i had dinner with my mom at Café Ba-ba-reeba on a night when they had a flamenco dinner show. it was a great show and i highly recommend it; the food was descent. the musicians and dancers were from the Soleo dance company. i loved the show and was impressed with both the dancing and the music.

much to my family’s disbelief and disappointment, ive never really enjoyed spanish (the language, not the country) music much. dont get me wrong -- it is great for dancing and I appreciate that. but its not a type of music ive ever really connected with very much (added to my inability to dance, and it makes my family question my puerto rican-ness). but i was really intrigued by the style of music at the flamenco performance. ive been wanting to find music similar to what i heard at the show. today (while procrastinating), i was trying to find some music on itunes that would satisfy my curiosity.

so i ended up buying Techari by Ojos de Brujo. their music definitely has a flamenco influence to it. i really like it and the style reminds me of the flamenco music i heard at the dinner show. here's a music video of my favorite song, Sultanas de Merkaillo:


here's a clip of Ojos de Brujo performing live (with dancing!):


part of what i like is the use of percussion and the clapping/stomping/snapping that drive the music. i also really like the style of singing. i know nothing about music whatsoever, so i dont know the technical way to describe it. i just enjoy the way the singers use their voices. it has a wailing kind of quality, which is the only way i can think of to describe it. its surprising to me that i enjoy it because i have always HATED mariachi music for its whiny/wailing quality. but somehow, done this way -- it works for me. anyway, im reallying enjoying this music. i dont buy music often, but i think this was worth it!