This is a greatest hits package that covers twenty years, 1984-2004. The first four tracks were recorded in 2004 and from there the disc goes chronologically back in time but finishes ending with another 2004 track. This is good because their "contemporary" sound from 2004 reflects their musical direction now that is sophisticated, smooth with modern rough edges of eletronica; the musical parts are at times reminiscent of Ojos de Brujo

but not quite so forward thinking, that is, not pushig the envelope in the same direction so much. Like Ojos de Brujo they throw in the occasional hip-hop-scratch elements to add flavor to their musical vison. One such song is "Agustito 2004," that emits a modern world urban sound. Ketama has always shaken things up with the addition of other musical genres to their conception of flamenco; they create quite a world music flamenco stew. Jazz plays a significant part of their sound, as does the aforementioned electronic sounds. The result is very interesting. There are the occasional ballads that are very popish; love songs with slighlty upbeat pop rhythms. This is not their strong point but I'm sure their big fans love this part of their repertoire. "Alguna Vez" is one such song and comes complete with extra horns and chorus in pop big production style. These Spanish gypsies do not forget their roots but rather expand the horizons of the genre; they were doing it before it became popular, they were at the forefront as this disc captures the last twenty years. The lead vocalist Antonio Carmona and his brother Jose Miguel pen most of the music that has no borders. The Middle Eastern sound brought to International audiences by such groups as

is evident on certain tracks, certainly on "Estatua de Sal." There is a live track,"Vente Pa Madrid' that features a duet between Antonio and his cousin Antonio Flores who has a gruff-smoked-too-many-cigs-between-late-night-wine-voice taht makes for a good counterpoint to Antonio's pleasant voice. A curious elemnt of their music is the addition of instruments usually not assocaited with pure flamenco. The use of the mandolin is something that thet explot with favorable results. Antonio streches back to his flamenco roots for a magnificent song entitled "Leyenda Viva" that comes complete with and clapping and undulating raw emotion as he sings in true flamenco style. There si something for everyone on this collection of songs from the pioneers of nuevo flamenco. They are also featured on the several compilations like

and

that showcases artists in the nuevo flamenco sub-genre. Recommended for nuevo flamenco aficionados.

The best of the best! Never tire of listening to this CD. A beautiful mix of flamenco, jazz and pop.