Sabicas

' Unique and hypnotizing! This album shows a fantastic mixture of authentic traditional Flamenco, Progressive and Psychedelic Rock by Spanish legend Sabicas and extraordinary electric Jazzrock guitar by Joe Beck with congenial backing band among others Donald Mac Donald on drums, Warren Bernhardt organ and Tony Levin on bass. This is an album for those, who are willing to look over the edges of their progressive and psychedelic horizon. Great guitar playing (lots of electric and acoustic guitars) all over. ' Craig.Harris@allmusic.com

An unique and very interesting musical project, probably the first musical encounter between flamenco and rock music! In those days Joe Beck was a respected composer and rock guitarist, he had played in symphonic orchestras and performed with the top names in rock and jazz (from Tim Hardin to Steve Gadd). After making the album Middle Eastern Rock with Oud player John Berberian, Joe's producer Harvey Cowen suggested Joe to do the same with flamenco and rock. He succeeded to recruit flamenco guitar legend Sabicas (1912-1990), thanks to Sabicas' brother Diego because he wanted Sabicas to scout the musical boundaries. Now Joe decided to assemble the best New York musicians: drummer Donald McDonald (in The Satyrs he had jammed with Frank Zappa, Ritchie Havens and Jimi Hendrix), 20 year old bass player Tony Levin (introduced to jazz and rock by Steve Gadd, later he joined Peter Gabriel his band and King Crimson…

An unique and very interesting musical project, probably the first musical encounter between flamenco and rock music! In those days Joe Beck was a respected composer and rock guitarist, he had played in symphonic orchestras and performed with the top names in rock and jazz (from Tim Hardin to Steve Gadd). After making the album Middle Eastern Rock with Oud player John Berberian, Joe's producer Harvey Cowen suggested Joe to do the same with flamenco and rock. He succeeded to recruit flamenco guitar legend Sabicas (1912-1990), thanks to Sabicas' brother Diego because he wanted Sabicas to scout the musical boundaries. Now Joe decided to assemble the best New York musicians: drummer Donald McDonald (in The Satyrs he had jammed with Frank Zappa, Ritchie Havens and Jimi Hendrix), 20 year old bass player Tony Levin (introduced to jazz and rock by Steve Gadd, later he joined Peter Gabriel his band and King Crimson…

On this album the great master of flamenco guitar Riqueni Rafael (Sevilla, 1962) has put aside his creative vein to restore so bright touch of teachers as they were Sabicas, Niño Ricardo and Esteban Sanlúcar. From the' guajiras' of Sabicas to 'Mantilla de feria' of Sanlúcar, through 'granaína' of Niño Ricardo, Riqueni makes a daring display of technical ability and feeling. And mention should be the theme of 'Estrella Amargura', with the singing of Enrique Morente, who shocked to the audience the day it was introduced at the Biennale 1994 in Seville. The recording took place in only four evenings, live, boasting a prodigious sensitivity to record the torrent of harmonies and rhythms. Really flamenco guitar in the hands of Riqueni creates a truly classic Spanish music. Album to collect.

Maestros is presented as a tribute to great historical flamenco guitar players such as Niño Ricardo, Esteban de Sanlúcar and Sabicas, where Rafael Riqueni performed different pieces by these teachers, achieving exceptional recreations and great recognition among fans.

Salvatore Foderà is a Neapolitan-born guitarist who completed his studies in 2011 and embarked on a professional career performing across Asia, Europe and the Americas, including a tour of Chile sponsored by the Swiss government. His interest in Flamenco music led him to visit the Fundación Cristina Heeren in Seville and study with flamenco guitarist Pedro Sierra.