(crítica) Rafael de Utrera. Voice Restoring Elemental Flamenco Passion

Flamenco has been fused every which way lately: reharmonized with jazz, molded into pop songs, combined with Afro-Caribbean rhythms. But the younger generation still includes traditionalists like Rafael de Utrera, one of Spain's most acclaimed young flamenco vocalists. He sang a stark, intimate set at Joe's Pub on Tuesday night.

With his stripped-down group, he reclaimed flamenco as music of suspense and volatility. Mr. Utrera has a high tenor voice that wouldn't have needed a microphone in the club. It could be clear and penetrating or grow rough and insistent to match the fervor of a phrase. The songs were traditional flamenco forms - soleás, bulerias, alegrías - full of love and tragedy, and Mr. Utrera and his guitarist, Juan Francisco Barrionuevo, made them sound spontaneous. Most of the songs are on Mr. Utrera's album "La Magia Flamenco" (Arte Flamenco).

(leer +) [vía The New York Times]