If the title »Gipsy Rhumba« makes you think of the Gipsy Kings, you’re not entirely wrong. Even though the band, known for their hits »Bamboleo« or »Baila Me«, comes from France, its musicians are nevertheless of Spanish origin. And it was in Spain, more precisely in Barcelona, Catalonia, that the music presented on this compilation was created towards the end of the 50s – these recordings from the 60s and 70s have apparently not been released anywhere outside of Spain until now. The Catalan rumba is composed of elements of flamenco, Caribbean rhythms and rock’n’roll; it was developed in the Romani quarter of Barcelona, hence the name. »Gipsy Rhumba« showcases the different facets of this music, which is both strongly influenced by classical flamenco guitars, but also accommodates electrically amplified rock riffs and big band brass or soul references in its arrangements. Apart from the fact that listeners who were not too keen on the Gipsy Kings might not be proven wrong by this journey to the origins of the genre, the compilation gives a good impression of the diversity of this music, which has received rather limited attention so far, despite the public archives available online.
Various Artists
In The Beginning There Was Rhythm
Soul Jazz