María la Tero, December 2006

The third album by Arcángel is marked by a change of producers. If on the two previous ones Juan Carlos Romero took care of the composing and the guitar, on this new album the cantaor follows the instructions of Isidro Muñoz, one of the genre’s most reputed producers. The formula which has brought him the most success, the one he’s done with José Mercé, is captured in the song ‘Tita María’ opening the album. And after those catchy tangos, in the rest of the repertoire, work can be appreciated in adapting to the artist’s personality, but without giving up his trademark.

Arcángel (Photo: Antonio Cid)

Arcángel’s performance is impeccable. It isn’t necessary to insist once more that he has one of the best voices coming out of cante in recent times. Now it’s time to devote oneself to listening to him, to enjoying each and every nuance of his voice, of his direct expressiveness. The cantaor, now on the road to maturity, also displays his versatility. And he might just as easily thrill with ‘Revoleras’, bulerías with no other accompaniment than clapping and jaleos (impressive), as with Mauricio Sotelo’s contemporary arrangements for the trilla ‘Humeaban las chozas’; or with the essential fandangos de Huelva ‘Calle Sanlúcar’. He does it all to perfection.

You can also really tell the change in guitars. Every second of the previous albums was oozing with Juan Carlos Romero’s very strong personality. Now the guitar remains on a more discreet plane. Daniel Méndez tackles the role of accompanist in most of the songs with guitar, contributing, without showing off, just enough to meet each style and the cantaor’s needs. Miguel Ángel Cortés does sound more forceful in the taranta, firmer in his toque, more defined, the way he usually does every time he sits down to accompany the cantaor live.

‘Ropavieja’ is one of those joys flamenco gives us every now and then, the confirmation that it is a lively artform capable of giving birth to very great young artists who, in turn, feed it and make it grow. And not just artistically, but also by capturing new audiences.

Contents

Arcángel, flamenco cantaor. Presentation of ‘Ropavieja’. Special Feature