José Campaña – Mar de la vergüenza (2022)
Spanish flamenco guitarist José Campaña released Mar de la vergüenza (“Sea of Shame”) in 2022. He brought together contemporary flamenco, jazz, and world music influences to deliver an exquisite album. Aside from the music, the album also has a humanitarian focus on migrants who risk Mediterranean crossings in search of a dignified life.
The title track features Los Mellis and Samara Campaña, who embodies a woman traveling the Mediterranean with her daughter. Meawhile, “Una tarde con Fabio,” dedicated to Bill Evans, presents a delightful quartet with Italo-Canadian pianist Fabio Miano.
Josué Ronkio produced Mar de la vergüenza, which includes top tier collaborators from the flamenco-jazz and flamenco scenes: Jorge Pardo, Tino di Geraldo, La Negra, Fabio Miano, Jesús Lavilla, Negro Cherokee, Enriquito, and Los Mellis.
Highlights include the joyful bulería “Jachivela”; irresistibles tangos “Tu pelo en mis sueños” with La Negra and Negro Cherokee; the hooky rumba “Mi niña Samara” with Jorge Pardo, Tino di Geraldo, and Jesús Lavilla; “Universo de Lucía,” a rondeña dedicated to Paco de Lucía; the minera “Callejón oscuro”; and the colombiana “Casa Ronkío” with Enriquito on trumpet.
Campaña frames the project as a dialogue between tradition and exploration: “Between roots and risk, my guitar seeks truth.”
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.