OJOS DE BRUJO

Techarí

2007-02-19

In America, we have the Blue Note, Verve and Savoy remix projects. In Italy, it’s Fiamma Fumana. In Japan, it’s the Yoshida Brothers. Everywhere these days we’re seeing more blends of traditional national/cultural music with modern dance/hip-hop/R&B sensibilities. Such is the case with Ojos de Brujo (trans: Wizard Eyes). These young Spaniards combine traditional flamenco and gypsy roots with modern sounds to create a fun, upbeat, danceable mix. Techarí (“free” in the Gypsy language Caló) is their third release, and their first major attempt to enter the North American music world. So, what is Techarí? According to the band, it’s “nomadic, mixed-blooded music racing through the streets of the worlds’ cities like a pack of mad idiots, communicating, creating and celebrating”. It combines the aforementioned flamenco and hip-hop, but also includes Indian folk musicians, Asian underground sounds, Senegalese rap and beatbox. Ojos de Brujo sing fun-sounding songs, but they’re not fluff by any means. This is a group of people seriously dedicated to fighting off global homogenization and to preserving the identity of Spain’s many cultural minorities. Too bad that’s lost on non-Spanish speakers! ::arthur longrapids::