The Gipsy Kings had major crossover success with their splendid and innovative third album, which used drums, bass, percussion, and synthesizer to beef up the sound. This French import is their first album from 1983, and it is a much more traditional affair, with only acoustic guitars, voices, and hand claps. It shows that artistically the sound did not need to be beefed up; the music is still wonderful. How can an array of seven guitars and full-throated passion not be wonderful? Commercially, the additions to their sound helped break The Gipsy Kings through to a larger audience, but now that their name is known, it should be possible for more people to go back and appreciate this album. It is in no way crude or unpolished, and the artistry and playing are of an equally high quality.

Convincing proof that success follows its own path, Govi's life is one of many twists. He is a German-born musician who traveled to India before settling down in California and becoming a leading proponent of the nouveau flamenco genre anchored by Ottmar Liebert, Johannes Linstead, and others. On ANDALUSIAN NIGHTS, Govi collaborates with two other German New Age stalwarts, Anugama and Karunesh, to come up with the arrangements. ANDALUSIAN NIGHTS opens with the warm atmospheres of "Persuasion," the low bass murmurs and hand drums offset by Govi's delicate finger picking. "Rumba Tumba" and the brisk title track build in intensity, adopting the rapid, flamenco-style clapping strongly associated with the Gipsy Kings' most danceable tunes.

Govi is a spirited guitarist with a recognizable style that incorporates elements from flamenco, Caribbean and jazz influences to create his musical statements. With no shortage of passion or virtuosity, Govi has a memorable sound that ranges from airy, tropical tempos to slower pieces to lively south-of-the-border rhythms. Other musicians such as Anugama, Karunesh and tabla player Daniel Paul make solid contributions to this fine effort from a superb instrumentalist with an obvious flair for the guitar.

Armik has driven deep into his quest to create first rate Nuevo Flamenco music with this ambitious 11 track recording titled ENAMOR. As his 28th release on Bolero Records, it is an exceptional example of the art of Armik both as a guitar virtuoso and as a composer. Throughout this recording he retains a Spanish Guitar sensibility in his precise touch while his compositions yield refined, romantic chords that leave you breathless and obsessed with his award-winning arrangements. ENAMOR. is a beautiful recording on which Armik demonstrates a completely original sound that is sophisticated yet creative. He makes each note count while playing with his delicate touch and makes sure that you emerge with a greater appreciation of his musicality and all that is heard in the fine art of Nuevo Flamenco.

I wanted to find something easy, but in the end I decided on this title because I wanted to say more, to create a different atmosphere. It’s the combination of the lyrical quality of pink (rosa), and the passion of red (rojo), with no political message, just flamenco. ~ "El Bola"