Flamenco CD with cantaor/singer Antonio de la Malena

This is as good a time as any to announce to the world that we will soon finish production on a CD of flamenco cante (singing) by Antonio de la Malena, a singer known the world over.  He has toured throughout Europe, Asia, and North America.  He has sung in Egypt.  He has been to almost every place where flamenco is loved.

This will be his first, purely flamenco CD.  He has two other CDs to his name, but they are more flamenco fusion.  We are really excited, and feel privileged that he has chosen us as the producer.  We are partnering in this venture with the Spanish company, Jerez Puro, who will handle the CD's distribution in Europe.

Antonio de la Malena.  (photo:  Martin Guerrero & Casa Patas)

The title of the CD is Para ti mi cante, que es mi libertad.  In English, that translates as My singing is for you, my singing is my freedom.

I have to admit, it reads better in Spanish than in English.  I'll have to work on that one.

The CD contains 10 numbers, ranging from the lively and upbeat bulerias through the heaviest of all songs, the seguiriyas.  Antonio sings several numbers without guitar accompaniment, but most do have guitar, played by world-famous guitarists such as Manuel Parilla and Domingo Rubichi.

We should also mention that there is a taranto in which Antonio sings a short part mimicking his "uncle Jose," and then invites his brother Manuel de Malena (also a well known flamenco singer) to continue on and finish with a more traditional rendition. 

Bulerias fin de fiesta.  Right, standing=Antonio de la Malena

For the final number, the traditional "fin de fiesta" (ending party) bulerias, Antonio invites not only his brother but another four to six people to join in.  They each take turns singing, with Antonio singing first and also ending the session.  There is no guitar accompaniment.  It's performed as if they were, indeed, all at a party together and simply enjoying themselves.

OUR NEXT POST will be about our documentary, a Zest for Life.