Exciting: flamenco, Afro-Peruvian, and more

One of the exciting things that has happened this month is that we have completed Antonio de la Malena's CD of flamenco cante.   It's called Para ti mi cante, que es mi libertad (I give my song to you, my song which is my freedom), and we've already delivered the finished sound track to the manufacturer.  The design work should be off within the next 48 hours.

As you may know, I love flamenco, and this CD is really good.  I say "CD," but actually, it's two CDs in one packet.  When Antonio sings, he sings.  He's given us 16 cantes (flamenco songs), and a pretty complete collection of all the major and many of the less-well-known flamenco forms:   from alegrias and segiuriyas to serrana and trilla.

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

There are four different guitarists who accompany Antonio in the 16 cantes (songs) on the double CD.  One of them is his very talented older son, known as Malena Hijo.  Malena Hijo also is responsible for a lot of the background music in my productions.  He is a very talented composer and a fine guitarist.

The other guitarists are Manuel Parilla (a pretty famous guitarist), Domingo Rubichi, and Santiago Moreno...all very good.  In addition to Antonio singing 16 cantes, in the taranto his brother Manuel de Malena joins him.  In the fin de fiesta, Antonio is joined by six or seven other singers, and in the opening number, there is an estribillo written by Antonio and another son (Diego de Malena) performed by two other singers, after which, Antonio enters.  Lots of variety in the presentations.

Malena Hijo

We are releasing this double CD in Europe first.  We THINK we´ll have it in our hands before the end of this month!!!  I´m going to save its U.S. release until I return to California and (gulp) restore my finances a bit.  I haven´t quite thought this matter through (since I´m focused on the release in Spain right now) but I will keep you posted.

AND DON´T FORGET THE AFRO-PERUVIANS:
As for our CD with Afro-Peruvian and criollo music, we've gone through one order of 100 and have ordered another.  We've also re-named it to better reflect what it is:  Afro-Peruvian Rhythms is the new name.  It´s lively stuff, well-performed, and great for zumba, by the way.

Here´s a sample track, with dance and illustrations, to whet your appetite.  It´s called Toro Mata.





--You can get a free download of this track at AZestforLifeCD.com.  And what the hey, if you want to simply buy the CD, go here:  www.AZestforLifetheCD.com.

OUR NEXT POST will be about new developments with our dramatic narrative, Domino, and our documentary, A Zest for Life.