Juan Medina – Fugaz (Satelite K, 2025)
Spanish composer and guitarist Juan Medina has released Fugaz, his debut guitar album. Here, the gifted guitarist combines flamenco, jazz stylings, warm neosoul vocals, and world music across ten original tracks. Mostly instrumental, the album reflects five years of intensive personal reinvention following Medina’s reconnection with the guitar. Fugaz features compositions written, produced, and mixed by Medina, except for “Henya,” originally by jazz singer Gretchen Parlato.
Musically, Fugaz features a delightful set of guitar performances that may appeal to fans of Josemi Carmona and Paco de Lucia. Notably, the inventive guitar work takes the spotlight, accompanied by nuanced creative bass lines, and irresistible percussion with a mix of palmas, cajon and other instruments
Swiss singer Lea Lu excels with her neosoul vocals on “Henya.” Equally good is the smoky trumpet on “Tangos Tristes del Albayzín.” It is important to note that Medina enjoys the flamenco tangos beats, which is one of the most engaging and appealing flamenco subgenres.
To realize his vision, Medina collaborated with a diverse roster of musicians. Gal Maestro plays double bass throughout, joined by Lea Lu (lead vocals, backing vocals, synthesizer), Pepele Méndez (percussion), flamenco singer José Luis Hernández on “Tangos Tristes del Albayzín,” guitarist Twanguero on “Al Badawi” and saxophonist Fran Ramos on “Nana para Coco y Luna.”
Recording took place across multiple studios: La Luciérnaga Estudios (Mallorca), Balas Estudio (Seville), and Estudios Musigrama (Madrid). The album was mastered by Black Box Mastering in Seville. Preceded by the singles “Tangos Tristes del Albayzín” and “Henya,”
Born in Huesca in 1971, Juan Antonio Medina Lloro studied at conservatories in Teruel, Zaragoza, and Madrid, where he trained with Antón García Abril and Zulema de la Cruz. He later held a residency at the Spanish Academy in Rome and currently teaches music technology at the Real Conservatorio Superior de Música de Madrid. Medina also holds a doctorate in communication sciences from IE University.
Tracklist
- Soleá de Lavapiés
- Henya (feat. Lea Lu)
- Aguacate
- Isabel
- Tangos Tristes del Albayzín (feat. Jose Luis Hernández)
- Al Badawi (feat. Twanguero)
- Balada de Chimenea
- Mariposillas Borrachas
- Nana para Coco y Luna (feat. Fran Ramos)
- Fugaz
Author: Angel Romero
Angel Romero y Ruiz has dedicated his life to musical exploration. His efforts included the creation of two online portals, worldmusiccentral.org and musicasdelmundo.com. In addition, Angel is the co-founder of the Transglobal World Music Chart, a panel of world music DJs and writers that celebrates global sounds. Furthermore, he delved into the record business, producing world music studio albums and compilations. His works have appeared on Alula Records, Ellipsis Arts, Indígena Records and Music of the World.