Tomatito - Popular Flamenco Artist  

The popular Spanish flamenco artist Tomatito shows his depth and artistry on this disc of traditional and nuevo-flamenco. Seemingly always pushing the envelope and perception of the parameters of flamenco, Tomatito does not dissapoint with his exciting guitar stylings that are both technically brilliant and innovative. Several of the songs reach into the jazz idiom as on the rumba "La Vacilona" that features George Benson on guitar trading licks with Tomatito to the background of hand claps. The disc is very mellow for the most part but interrupts into flights of fiery guitar work that dazzles. The world music flavors abound and can be heard on such songs as the Turkish "Bir Omurluk Misafir" that features orchestration that is sublime.

Other beautiful tracks include the opening song "Pa La Pimpi" which is more what one thinks of as flamenco and features Tomatito's daughter Mari Angeles sharing vocals on the tangos, another track with vocals is the buleria "Ahi Te Quedas" recorded in a cellar after wine tasting that features two male singers and comes across as an informal gathering complete with hand claps and ole's and another buleria "Paseo de los Castanos" that again has a family feel since their are so many musicains interchanging with Tomatito. Tomatito is in fine form on this disc and belongs in any serious collection of flamenco. I only wish the disc were longer as it comes in at thirty-eight minutes. Recommended for aficionados of cutting edge flamenco.

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