Tomatito

I've finally found an enoyable album of Spanish music after going through several awful flamenco, gypsy, and so-called Latin collections. This is a great album; loved the piano playing. However, I wish the guitar was more upfront. If I'd wanted a piano album, I would buy one. Also, why only 8 songs at 45minutes? If you find it on sale for $5, get it!

For some time, I have been aware of the work of Michel Camilo and was familiar with Tomatito through some flamenco recordings that I have. But I never knew they made a couple of CDs together until I spotted another of their CDs called Spain Again in a local book and music store. What drew me in was their musical tribute to Astor Piazzolla on that CD. So when I got home, I came to amazon and ordered both Spain and Spain Again at a much better price than the local store charged. And while the one that drew me to the collaboration of Camilo and Tomatito is excellent, Spain is simply outstanding.
Though I like the whole CD, several cuts stand out. The industry reviewer doesn't even mention the best one, Para Troilo y Salgan (dedicated, no doubt, to the great tango masters Anibal Troilo and Horacio Salgan), on which Tomatito electrifies the listener with his crisp and rapid-fire yet flawless play. Beyond that one the best tunes are the title cut, which fans of Chick Corea and/or Al DiMeola will instantly recognize; an intricate and enchanting Besame Mucho; and a dazzling La Vacilona which is imbued with the rhythms of Spanish America.
If ever a CD cried out for a wider audience, Spain is one that is deserving. The interplay between these two virtuosos is spectacular. It has been playing over and over in my office all day, filling me with bliss and making my work more enjoyable.
Obviously, if you're reading the reviews of this CD, you already have some interest in this type of music. This is one of the best of the genre that I've heard in ages. So buy Spain confidently knowing you can't possibly be disappointed in any aspect of the CD except its brevity.

Michel camilo and tomatito made a one of best music style.The pianno from mitchel camilo and the flamenco style guitar's tomatito make one couple unforgettable.
cristina asencio

I regularly go the Blue Note here in NYC and got the chance to see Michel Camilo live on this one night. I didn't expect to see what I saw! I've always known how awesome a pianist Michel Camilo is but when I saw Tomatito, I was in awe of Tomatito's technique. I was about 10 feet away from him and I couldn't figure out how he was getting all those beautiful sounds. I was so anxious to get the CD but everywhere I turned to didn't have it. When I got it, I was a little disappointed. Just a little... When I saw them live, THEY WERE 10 TIMES BETTER THAN ON THE CD, if you can imagine that! The CD doesn't do them justice but it comes pretty close.

Out of a wide library of interests I've got to say that this record is amazing. I've just listened to it the second time and am still engrossed in it after its end and ensuing quiet. I cannot say what infinite creative levels of instrument mastery, arrangement, and superb mixing of musical minds must exist behind this duo to adequately express appreciative praise to this record.
Anyone will sober in hearing.
Brent Fuller.

it should have been named LATIN LATIN!!!IT IS as good as SPAIN with eexxcceelleenntt recording.it has the fresh flavor of a ripe little Tomato sprinkled with Camilo salt...

Though one hears a lot about crossovers and fusion etc., the fact is that most flamenco-jazz meetings are third-rate flamenco and seventh-rate jazz. The genres are utterly different, the time-conceptions in each tradition especially are utterly different (and paramount), and everyone emerges sounding worse than they do in their home genres. Since few jazz critics know enough about flamenco to intelligently comment, and vice-versa, the enterprises usually get applauded when they should be simply avoided. These Camilo/Tomatito discs are the only truly successful such collaborations I know, and the new one is just as glorious as the last.

"Spain Again" reunites Spanish flamenco guitarist Tomatito with American jazz pianist Michel Camilo. Camilo is a classically trained prodigy whose influences range from Art Tatum to Keith Jarrett, while Tomatito reigns as one of his country's brightest stars, citing Paco De Lucía as one of his key inspirations. The success of this collaboration does not lie in the differences between their musical heritages, but rather in the common ground these two masters forge within the parameters of this recording. Although virtuosity is certainly not something both musicians are lacking, one never senses that the two are competing with one another. Instead the listener hears a deep and profound camaraderie between the two which amicably encompasses the music on this disc. The delicate interplay and intuitive sensitivity the artists share recalls the seminal sixties collaborations between Jim Hall and Bill Evans. Throughout their adventurous melodic excursions and thrilling improvisations, Tomatito and Camilo never lose focus of the inherent beauty of each composition. The session includes an eclectic assortment of music featuring jazz standards, moving tributes, and original compositions. Standouts include a series of three heartfelt homages to Astor Piazzolla, all brilliantly executed and performed to perfection. On the ballad "Stella by Starlight," Tomatito offers some unique and intricate rhythm playing as Camilo skillfully navigates his way through the demanding chord changes of the piece. The recording ends with the joyous "Amor de Conuco," featuring a passionate vocal performance by Juan Luis Guerra and marking an appropriate conclusion to this very memorable musical experience. "Spain Again" is a truly magical recording of extraordinary music and should be required listening for all fans of jazz, classical, and flamenco music.
James Scott

Very beautiful music. I did not know that guitar and piano was all you needed to create wonderfully pleasing sounds.

Michel Camilo and Tomatito are great artists and preformers. They are great individually but together they are truly an example of the sum of their parts are truly greater playing together than individually.

I have seen both artists in concert individually as well as seeing them perform together on stage in 2006, and can say that this was the best concert I have ever attended.

This cd is truly a gem.

Of all the flamenco recordings I've heard, I always return to this one as my favorite. I first bought it as a pirated cassette in Granada, later as a CD, and it's a treasure. And the Camaron tracks are some of my favorites of him. Very well-balanced, every piece a joy, a great mix of pure flamenco on some pieces, and rumba with electric bass and persussion on others. I also love Tomatito's more recent "Rosas del Amor" although I haven't seen it available. It was a nice surprise to see Tomatito featured on the first Latin Grammy Awards.

This album definitely displays Tomatito's ability as a songwriter and extrordinary guitarist. He is a true artist.

A flamenco guitar recording is difficult to do well. Either you get lost in techinically adept but artistically meaningless meanderings (even Paco de Lucia is guilty of this), or you get trapped in commercial flamenco-lite. This album avoids these traps and succeeds brilliantly. Very flamenco puro, a guest appearance by Camaron, and well-crafted temas that keep playing in your mind.

Tomatito's guitar playing has a unique and subtle combination of flamenco and jazz. For purists of flamenco music this may be not "kosher", but I recommend them to listen to this particular CD. They'll change their minds and will be pleasantly surprised.

The Spanish flamenco artist Tomatito shows his depth and artistry on this disc of traditional and nuevo-flamenco. Seemingly always pushing the envelope and perception of the parameters of flamenco, Tomatito does not dissapoint with his exciting guitar stylings that are both technically brilliant and innovative. Several of the songs reach into the jazz idiom as on the rumba "La Vacilona" that features George Benson on guitar trading licks with Tomatito to the background of hand claps. The disc is very mellow for the most part but interrupts into flights of fiery guitar work that dazzles. The world music flavors abound and can be heard on such songs as the Turkish "Bir Omurluk Misafir" that features orchestration that is sublime. Other beautiful tracks include the opening song "Pa La Pimpi" which is more what one thinks of as flamenco and features Tomatito's daughter Mari Angeles sharing vocals on the tangos, another track with vocals is the buleria "Ahi Te Quedas" recorded in a cellar after wine tasting that features two male singers and comes across as an informal gathering complete with hand claps and ole's and another buleria "Paseo de los Castanos" that again has a family feel since their are so many musicains interchanging with Tomatito. Tomatito is in fine form on this disc and belongs in any serious collection of flamenco. I only wish the disc were longer as it comes in at thirty-eight minutes. Recommended for aficionados of cutting edge flamenco.

This is a superb CD -- technically brilliant, musically advanced and adventurous, containing top-notch flamenco style cuts (both with and without vocals) and a few cuts that range beyond flamenco into what some might consider jazz. I had the good fortune to see Tomatito live in Madrid -- he gave the single most amazing performance of acoustic guitar playing I've ever seen. The flamenco sound may feel alien to some American ears, especially the vocal style, so be sure it's for you before you pick up this CD or one like it. But if flamenco speaks to you, you cannot go wrong with this disc.

Two other Tomatito CD's are worth investigating as well: Guitarra Gitana (Gypsy Guitar -- as the title indicates, a bit more hard-core into flamenco than El Paseo de los Castanyos) and Aguadulce.

If you like Tomatito, no; take that back. Even if you even like Flamenco a little bit, you will like this album. He is the great master of the guitar and more versatile than ever here. He is the "little tomato" as his family called him. Seems like a large tomato to me after listening to this for about 6 months now. It made me get everything else he's ever done that I could get Stateside. It's incredible!
Brent Fuller.

This is a wonderful recording, a nice collection of different flamenco types: bulerias, sevillanas, rumba, etc. Tomatito is such a brilliant guitarist, and there is a great guest appearance by Camaron.

There are some exceptionally good songs on this CD. My favorite is "A Miles". This is a very enjoyable track with a dark, sultry melody and a strong, almost hip-hop-like, beat. "¿Dónde Está Tu Cariño?" is simply a beautiful song sung beautifully by Tomatito's young daughter. "Porque Tú lo Vales" is a well-crafted solea with some very melodic falsetas and a cool ending. "En Casa del Herrero" is one of the most entertaining bulerias I've ever heard; the tag-team duet with Potito and Guadiana is always a treat to hear since these are two of my favorite flamenco singers. "Gallibando" is a tango that is just as majestic as "¿Dónde Está Tu Cariño?", and El Cigala does an excellent job on the vocals. This is a great CD that should satisfy both seasoned flamenco-listeners and beginners.

Tomatito is my favorite flamenco guitarist living today. This album is a wonderful effort from Tomatito and every bit as entertaining as his other solo efforts. The album does have some mainstream, flamenco-inspired tunes, but never strays from the genre. The recording and mastering is excellent and well produced. Whether you are a fan of traditional flamenco guitar or just a novice listener of duende, this album is a great addition to anyone's collection. I recommend any and all of Tomatito's recordings and Aqua Dulce is a brilliant example of the guitar masterery of Tomatito.

Though I am a novice Flamenco fan I do recognize the true beauty in this CD. The song "Donde esta tu cariño" has one of the most hauntingly beautiful melodies that I have ever heard. It captures the searingly sad spirit from where flamenco originates.
A beautiful CD.

There are some exceptionally good songs on this CD. My favorite is "A Miles". This is a very enjoyable track with a dark, sultry melody and a strong, almost hip-hop-like, beat. "¿Dónde Está Tu Cariño?" is simply a beautiful song sung beautifully by Tomatito's young daughter. "Porque Tú lo Vales" is a well-crafted solea with some very melodic falsetas and a cool ending. "En Casa del Herrero" is one of the most entertaining bulerias I've ever heard; the tag-team duet with Potito and Guadiana is always a treat to hear since these are two of my favorite flamenco singers. "Gallibando" is a tango that is just as majestic as "¿Dónde Está Tu Cariño?", and El Cigala does an excellent job on the vocals. This is a great CD that should satisfy both seasoned flamenco-listeners and beginners.

Tomatito is my favorite flamenco guitarist living today. This album is a wonderful effort from Tomatito and every bit as entertaining as his other solo efforts. The album does have some mainstream, flamenco-inspired tunes, but never strays from the genre. The recording and mastering is excellent and well produced. Whether you are a fan of traditional flamenco guitar or just a novice listener of duende, this album is a great addition to anyone's collection. I recommend any and all of Tomatito's recordings and Aqua Dulce is a brilliant example of the guitar masterery of Tomatito.

Though I am a novice Flamenco fan I do recognize the true beauty in this CD. The song "Donde esta tu cariño" has one of the most hauntingly beautiful melodies that I have ever heard. It captures the searingly sad spirit from where flamenco originates.
A beautiful CD.

You want to hear the human soul at its best? Here you go.

this entire cd is the best in flamenco in a long while. So many have attempted only to fall short to the commmercial side of the business. It is refreshing and exciting to hear music from the soul instead of from the brain. They must have more than 50 percent control in the studio......I can't wait for the next CD.