Ojos de Brujo Celebrate 10 Years with “Corriente Vital” (Lifestream)

The Barcelona collective Ojos de Brujo could never be accused of going about their business conventionally as they celebrate their tenth anniversary with a special recording. A celebration in which many artist friends collaborate on the group’s songs as well as providing two brand new ones: the title track, produced by long time spar Nitin Sawhney and “La Machine” by Juno Reactor. Also included is their lusciously fluid flamenco re-styling of Marley’s “No Woman, No Cry”.

“Corriente Vital” (Lifestream) contains songs from the extensive OdB canon transformed by producers such as Italy’s Tom Waits Vinicio Capossela, Jorge Drexler – the first Uruguayan ever to win an Academy Award (for his work on The Motorcycle Diaries) and Roldan from Cuba’s Orishas as well as the aforementioned Nitin Sawhney and Juno Reactor (who participated in the OST of “Matrix”).

Word has it that “Corriente Vital” could be the band’s last offering for some time as the different members experiment in other areas; and if that proves to be the case it can honestly be said that they kept their freak flag flying until the end, staying true to themselves and their principles.

A large part of Ojos de Brujo’s legend is based on spectacular live shows where they have never been known to give less than 100%. Their performances are rooted in flamenco with flavourings from reggae, raga, rumba, hip hop and house melded into their trademark jip jop flamenkillo. The last chance for the foreseeable future to catch one of the world’s most vibrant and inventive bands in any genre, takes place on April 15th at the Barbican. Prepare for a musical version of El Clásico with multifarious musical fireworks.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=35jswgBc0lY]

OJOS DE BRUJO – A BRIEF HISTORY

In 2000 they released their first album, “VENGUE”, but the idea for Ojos de Brujo had long been taking shape on the streets of Barcelona. Guitarist Ramón Jiménez had two passions – flamenco and hip hop, singer Marina Abad came from the theatre, and percussionist Xavi Turull already had experience in the music business as a member of Amalgama, a flamenco group in pursuit of new musical languages.

At that time, Ojos de Brujo was a bunch of people moving back and forth between a flat in Escudellers Street (Barcelona) and parties on the beaches of Formentera. Musicians who combined metal and Tropicália, Hindu mysticism and electronica. ‘Mestizaje’ (or ‘fusion’) was not a label then; it was something born of hard work. The Rumba Catalana was the thread which bound it all together.

Even after the release of “Vengue”, no two concerts were ever alike. Dani Carbonell and his group Macaco were just getting off the ground, which meant that he only appeared at the important concerts in Madrid and Barcelona. The songs never sounded the same, and each concert was like a new adventure – some ended with a battery of percussion, others with a heavy dose of house music. Then it was on to playing festivals, where Ojos de Brujo seized their opportunities. At many festivals people still remember: “They played here when nobody knew them; it’s here where they started getting big.” When you hear the same words repeated by half a dozen people hundreds of kilometres apart, you have the feeling they got big with a very small van.

Next they decided to take charge and go it alone; to manage their own lives and musical career. On top of their musical workload comes the office work – they don’t want any bosses. “Bari” is released in 2002, selling 250,000 copies worldwide and picking up a BBC Music Award. They are now in and out of airports as much as the van. Decisions are taken collectively, everything is slower, self-produced and self-managed. “Techarí” is released in 2006. They’ve reinvested their resources and talent, along with collaborations, in a show which has got bigger and bigger. The family is growing; they cut back on the travel expenses a little. The music is still a trip; they are still connecting with musicians from all over the world. “Aocana” (2009) is their most recent musical outing, in which they lead the way in mixing one of the most delicate musical styles that exists – flamenco – with the main streams of electronic music.

There have been seven world tours. They have played with musicians of all backgrounds and styles across five continents…and now, as they celebrate their tenth anniversary, they want to see their songs transformed by other ears… with more ‘Ojos’ (‘Eyes’) than ever. (Text courtesy Gerry Lyseight)

Friday 15th April.

Ojos de Brujo Special 10th Anniversary Show + Depedro

Barbican Hall

Silk St

City of London, EC2Y 8DS

7.30pm. £12 – £22

www.barbican.org.uk / 020 7638 8891

FREE SONGS FROM Ojos de Brujo

Silencio Live
“Sultanas De Merkaíllo“ (mp3)
from “Techar í”
(Six Degrees Travel Series)

Buy at eMusic
More On This Album

Tracklist

1 Corriente Vital

Featuring – Chicuelo*

2 Todos Mortales

Featuring – Roldán*

3 Nueva Vida

Featuring – Bebe*

4 Ley De Gravedad

Featuring – Jorge Drexler

5 Corre Lola

Featuring – Amaral

6 Lluvia

Featuring – Najwa

7 Baraka

Featuring – Manolo Garcia*

8 Sultanas De Merkaillo

Featuring – Miguel Campello (Elbicho)*

9 Get Up, Stand Up

10 Na En La Nevera

Featuring – Estopa

11 Ventilaor R-80

Featuring – La Troba Kung-Fú

12 Corriente Vital

Featuring – Nitin Sawhney

13 Interludio Flamenco

Featuring – Chicuelo*

14 La Machine

Producer – Juno Reactor

15 Zambra

Producer – Juno Reactor

16 Corre Lola

Featuring – Los Pericos

17 Nana

Featuring – Vinicio Capossela