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Ojos de Brujo
Ojos de Brujo is a musical project created by a collective of young Spanish
musicians who use flamenco as a foundation for cross-genre experimentation.
They incorporate elements of hip-hop, funk, salsa, and reggae into a rootsy
flamenco underpinning to create an exciting and accessible new sound. Ojos
de Brujo have a style that is similar, yet ultimately more successful than
another young experimental Spanish group, Los Martires del Compas. The new
Ojos de Brujo album, Vengue, is a fascinating and entertaining collection of
songs that manage to reflect equal amounts of traditional and contemporary
flavors.
Ojos de Brujo was formed by members of Fabrica de Colores, a loose knit
group of artists in Barcelona. Lead singer Dani "Monoloco" is also the front
man for the innovative pop group Macaco which will be certainly making waves
internationally in the near future. Monoloco's voice is light and
controlled, yet rough around the edges and very expressive. Guitarists Ram�n
and Antonio lay down funky rumba flamenca grooves throughout. The percussive
elements of flamenco are highlighted by Xavi Turull, a master of the caj�n,
the wooden crate that was imported into flamenco from Cuba and Peru.
Colombian percussionist Beto, also a member of Macaco, adds a bubbly Latin
flavor to the rhythm. Topping it all off is DJ Panko, a veteran of the
Barcelona club scene who provides subtle and tasteful samples and
scratching.
Nearly every track on Vengue is exceptional, but there are a number of
standouts. "Vacileo" is an upbeat gypsy rumba with strong Latin flavors that
sounds like what the Gipsy Kings would sound like if they were soulful and
innovative. "Rumba Dub Style" is a fast, funky, flamenco pop tune with
elements of rap and fluttery Eastern European brass. The beautiful, lushly
orchestrated flamenco ballad "Palabras Blancas" includes Indian tablas so
masterfully that they seem to fit in perfectly with the elaborate Spanish
guitar accompaniment (as do the quiet scratches and samples laid down in the
background by DJ Panko).
Vengue is a unique and innovative album that manages to sound very Spanish,
even though it is borrowing from a variety of styles and traditions. This is
probably because the members clearly consider flamenco to be the heart and
soul of their sound. Ojos de Brujo, along with other inventive groups like
Macaco and Los Martires del Compas, are on the leading edge of an exciting
musical movement in Spain today. - Jacob Edgar
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