Calima
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Description
Calima translates as "heat," and that's exactly what nuevo flamenco guitar virtuoso Gerardo Núñez generates on his sophomore release. Nowhere is it better typified than on "Sancti Petri," his incendiary collaboration with two other guitarists, the duo of Strunz & Farah, where cascades of notes go by virtually faster than the ear can take them in. Elsewhere Núñez plays a variety of flamenco styles, including sevillanas and bulerías, as well as an ambitious paso doble. But while Núñez has his roots in the tradition, he doesn't stick to it religiously. Like most nuevo flamenco players, he expands the genre, taking in jazz on the title track with sterling piano work from Danilo Pérez. He also journeys into New Age territory as well as pure worldbeat. Núñez leaves plenty of room for sparkling improvisation on the balmy closer, "Tarifa," where bassist John Patitucci shines. Essentially, this album shows Núñez to be a flamenco musician for the 21st century, a man coming into his prime as an artist. --Chris Nickson
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