All The Best Spanish Flamenco: 20 Great Favorites

Lovely, ornate guitar solos highlight this above-average budget flamenco offering from the dependable Madacy label. But be prepared for a Latin American rather than strictly Spanish emphasis to a few of the songs. The guitar on "Ritmos del Paraguay" emulates the lushness of the traditional Paraguayan harp repertoire rather than the snap of true flamenco, while the grittiness of "La Luna por el Rocio" is tempered by what sounds like Andean flute accompaniment. And isn't that a piano in the middle of "Sevillanas de la Loteria"? Fortunately there are enough songs in the "Fandangos de Huelva" mold that deliver the clatter of castanets, lively foot-stomping, and rousing, passionate vocals that flamenco aficionados look for. And missing is the stridency that can add soulfulness to the genre but at the expense of casual listening. All in all, the unnamed ensemble acquits itself nicely, especially at this nice price. --Bob Tarte