GIPSY KINGS
Historia (Cooking Vinyl)
Undoubtedly best known for their instantly recognisable songs Djobi, Djoba and Baliardo, Gipsy Kings are titans in their field. Their efforts to hold space for Catalan gipsy culture and – naturally – flamenco music makes them the most familiar, or perhaps even a stereotype in the genre.
This Historia album is clear, approachable and makes for fairly easy listening. The matched sung harmonies, the patter of clapping, restless drums and evocative guitar could only ever come from Gipsy Kings. Originally heralding from Arles in France, they endlessly prove cultures and identities cross borders.
The title track is alive with a bounce, and finds founder member Tonino Baliardo in the fold, within its cutting, shared vocal line. No Soy Rico is also evocative, steamed with acoustic feel and running at a slower pace to the other kinetic tracks; Cielo, a gentle instrumental, may cause the ‘muzak’ accusations of yore to crop up again. Snobs may scoff, but others will doubtless delight in Historia’s well-trodden spirit.
words JAMES ELLIS
