It is a special sight to hear passionate flamenco singing from the mouth of a black woman. Concha Buika is certainly unique. Her parents are from Equatorial Guinea but lived on the Spanish island of Mallorca. There Buika grew up in the midst of gypsies. She had always been musical, but it was only after attending a Pat Metheny concert in London that the drama student decided to make music her
… profession. Buika sings effortlessly in a variety of genres, from house to jazz and flamenco. She developed her own style in which flamenco nuevo is richly mixed with a touch of latin, jazz, funk and soul. On her third album Niña De Fuego, in addition to Spanish coplas, she also sings Mexican rancheras and her own compositions, with excellent accompaniment by flamenco guitarist and producer Javier Limón. It doesn't really matter what Buika sings; with her charismatic performance, sense of timing and her husky, soulful voice, she gives the listener goosebumps. (SvdP)more
