Music Reviews
Artist:
ChamboTitle:
Con otro aireLabel:
Sony Bmg
Con otro aire is the latest album from the Spanish platinum-selling purveyors of Flamenco chill, Chambao. Their previous albums, Flemenco Chill, Endorfinas en la mente and Pokito a poko put them firmly on the Spanish and world music stage, with their debut UK tour in 2006 resulting in sell out shows in Bristol, Brighton and London, despite a lack of national publicity. Chambao have returned with the inspirational Con otro aire and fans of the band will be happy to hear that the group’s fourth studio release is packed with many of the celebrated sounds that they’ve have come to associate with the band’s iconic flamenco fusion style, whilst introducing an even more complex plethora of sounds to the mix.
In this intense new album, Chambao effortlessly lead you on a journey through the traditional nuances of flamenco, incorporating modern electronic effects and techniques without ever making you question the subtle interweaving of these seemingly disparate sounds. Con otro aire is also arguably the most personal of the band’s compositions, with lead singer La Mari having created nine of the albums eleven songs. Taking inspiration from situations which have influenced, concerned or amused her, La Mari explores national and global themes through both her music and lyrics.
The result is a fresh sound and a light, airy ambience which, thanks to the music’s flamenco roots, remains grounded in the band’s southern Spanish territory. The music has such an earthy quality to it, that when coupled with string and percussion instruments from all over the world, it has a decidedly ethnic feel. Joining Chambao in this eclectic vision are expert musicians playing many traditional Middle Eastern instruments uncommonly heard in Western music, as well as revered flamenco stars and father-daughter combo, Estrella and Enrique Morente. With their help, Chambao successfully bring together myriad musical ideas and influences, seemingly transcending national borders and harmonizing divisions. It’s a beautiful melding and Con otro aire has been described as an album that doesn’t understand “closed worlds”. Listening to their latest work, it’s not difficult to see how Chambao’s smooth sound has become synonymous with the concept ‘global chillout’ music.
The album’s tone is set by its opening track, Papeles mojados (Damp papers), as a lone voice draws the listener into a building rift of sounds whose roots are clearly Arabic. It’s clear from the start that Con otro aire is going to be an interesting and intense fusion of cultural characteristics. This trend extends the whole way through the album, passing through mesmerising whale sounds and English voices in Canto de la ballena (Whale song) and the laughter of children in Despierta (Wake up), until we arrive at Con otro aire’s closing track, Respira (Breathe). Here Enrique Morente’s famous voice emerges from the silence like a muezzin, calling listeners to heed his intoxicating message. As the voices of La Maria and Morente fade, a final breath is drawn on what is likely to be hailed as Chambao’s greatest album to date. This is an album not to be missed.
Con otro aire is published by Sony Bmg and is out now in the UK to buy.
Chambo are currently on tour in the UK and can be seen on the 3rd of March at KOKO Club, London
Review by Emma Walker
