Peret (Barcelona, 1935) has been sparingly releasing albums over the past twenty years. His previous album dates back to 2001. He himself explains his long absence: 'No estaba muerto, estaba tomando cañas' ('I wasn't dead, I just got a few beers'). Remarkable words from a man who converted to Evangelical Christianity in the 1980s. Nothing of his beliefs can be heard on this album either.
Peret, a hero to artists such as Ojos De Brujo and Gipsy Kings, is not well known outside of Spain. In the Netherlands his success was limited to the big summer hit of 1971, Borriquito, but in his own Catalonia, Pedro Calaff carries the honorary title 'king of the rumba' and he performed at the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games in Barcelona. The famous guests from his previous album are no longer participating, but the veteran manages fine on his own. Que Levante El Dedo doesn't really have any weak moments and the highlight is the danceable closing track Xaví. (PdK)more
