Flamenco masterpieces. Recommended popular songs.
A roundup of legendary flamenco masterpieces!
Alongside traditional flamenco, we’re also featuring tracks from the newer genre known as “Nuevo Flamenco.”
A must-see for lovers of Latin music!
Flamenco is cherished around the world.
With roots in classical tradition yet constantly evolving, it remains a sublime musical genre.
This time, we’ve picked timeless classics of both flamenco and nuevo flamenco from across generations!
Be sure to listen to this great music born in Spain!
Flamenco masterpieces: Recommended popular songs (1–10)
Entre dos aguasPaco del Gastor
Paco de Lucía is one of the greatest guitarists in history.
In genres outside flamenco, there are many people who are called guitar gods, but most of them don’t even come close to him.
That’s how truly great a guitarist he is.
His piece “Entre dos aguas” is a masterpiece.
Every single note is infused with soul.
It’s such an overwhelming, mind-blowing work that it makes you forget to shout ‘Olé!’
Desde la AzoteaNiña Pastori
Niña Pastori is a cantaora who is held in extremely high regard in the flamenco world.
Unlike typical cantaoras, she also releases Nuevo Flamenco tracks.
Her greatest appeal, above all, is her vocal ability.
Among active cantaoras, her singing is truly top-tier.
She’s a match for, if not the equal of, even Buika.
Her album Desde la Azotea lets you enjoy both her exceptional vocals and her Nuevo-style flamenco.
MientemeKetama
Ketama, the legendary band that took Spain by storm.
“Wait, a band?” you might be thinking.
In fact, Ketama is the group that forged a new set of values in the long history of flamenco.
Before Ketama arrived, flamenco was largely the traditional style passed down over generations.
Emerging from that scene, Ketama mixed flamenco with new genres and are considered pioneers of Nuevo Flamenco.
Their track Mienteme is a hit song that marked a new chapter in the history of (nuevo) flamenco.
AlegriasMiguel Poveda
Miguel Poveda, a cantaor whose abilities rival those of Diego El Cigala.
Like Diego El Cigala, he isn’t the type of cantaor with an especially deep, weighty voice; his voice is higher and not particularly thick.
In terms of sheer power, he may be outmatched by singers of rumba flamenca, but he compensates with expressive nuance.
He has also collaborated with Buika, and in that setting he proved himself every bit her equal.
His piece “Alegrias” showcases the remarkable breadth of his expressiveness.
Concavo Y convexoDiego El Cigala
Diego El Cigala, the king of flamenco.
He’s said to be the most skilled among active cantaores.
True to his reputation, his vocal ability ranks among the very best in the world.
“Cóncavo y convexo” is one of his signature songs.
He’s used the same pianist for many years, and the playing is excellent as well.
It’s a profoundly sublime work of art, suffused with a sense of tragic solemnity.
By the way, this song isn’t strictly flamenco—if anything, it falls into the nuevo flamenco category.
BamboléoGipsy Kings
The French band Gipsy Kings, who became a worldwide sensation with rumba flamenca.
They may not be cantaores, but the benefits they brought to flamenco are immeasurable.
Without them, the world’s attention to flamenco might have come a little later.
Nicolas Reyes’s vocal ability is on a level that rivals that of a cantaor.
“Bamboléo” is a hit song by the Gipsy Kings that showcases Nicolas Reyes’s remarkable singing.
No Habrá Nadie En El MundoBuika
Buika, who could well be called the queen of nuevo flamenco.
Her song “No Habrá Nadie En El Mundo” is one of her signature tracks.
With its strong flamenco flavor and catchy rhythm, it might seem easy to sing at first glance.
But surprise—when you actually try, it’s incredibly difficult.
It really makes you appreciate just how powerful Buika’s vocals are.
As for the composition, there’s nothing to criticize.
If you transcribe it to sheet music, you’ll see how complex it really is.
It’s a track that showcases the high caliber of Spain’s music scene.