Ultimo Trago

What superlatives to say that haven't already been said about this disc. It is spectacular in a word. I love the voice of Concha Buika and feel she is a unique talent; paired with one of giants of Latin jazz, Cuban pianist, bandleader, composer and arranger Chucho Valdez and you have an instant classic. If you're looking for Buika to be exactly like she was on other solo projects you're going to instead how diverse her talents are. There are so many good songs but an example how the master Chucho Valdez can take a classic Mexican song , originally by Jose Alfredo Jimenez,  100 Clasicas 1   Las 100 Clasicas Vol. 2  " Las Ciudades" and transform it into an outstanding tune hardly recognized from the original song. It becomes a jazzy song that sounds like it should be emanating from a dark smoky café where Concha is belting out the vocals; "El Rey" Jose Alfredo Jimenez would be proud of the metamorphosis of his song. Ditto for " Cruz de Olvido" and the many other Jose Alfredo Jimenez compositions  Y Sigo Siendo El Rey : Deluxe Edition 3CD+DVD+LIBRO . I could go on and on but just go out and get this most excellent disc, you will love the pairing of Concha Buika and Chucho Valdez.

Buika comes from Palma de Mallorca. She was raised there the only person of African descent in a neighborhood of gypsies, who taught her the traditional "cante" flamenco. She likes to mix styles -flamenco and coplas with jazz, rumba, soul. Her smoky voiced vocals ring with emotion and she moves around the rhythm like a good jazz singer does. In this album she is backed by a killer group led by Cuban piano virtuoso Chucho Valdes. (Valdes first came to US attention when Dizzy Gillespie came back from a jazz tour to Cuba and raved about the Cuban jazz ensemble, Irakere, which was fronted by Valdes, trumpeter Arturo Sandoval and saxophonist-clarinetist Paquito D'Rivera. This is an excellent album and easily accessible. It's great music to listen to on a long drive.

I'm not a Latin music afficionada, but my partner and I saw Chucho Valdes in concert a couple of years ago and since then I've been buying his music when I find it and have some cash around. His touch on the keyboard is as finessed as Oscar Peterson's in my opinion, and this partnershp with Buika has created an explosion of joy and desire for more afro-flamenco jazz vocals. I'm seriously contemplating a trip to Cuba purely in hopes of catching these two - together or separately.

I like the rendition of these old favorites in a jazzy fashion. Buika's voice and style give the songs a new perspective, thus making the themes accessable to other demographics.

This album is just a triumph! it is not only a great bolero standards album but also thanks to Buika's soulful interpretation, a great latin jazz album, she is able to walk between the two worlds enriching both styles instead of diluting them. The other great thing for me personally is that it transports me to my childhood when my mother used to listen to and sing many of these songs. The arrangements by Chucho Valdes are also masterful, this is I hope the first of many other collaborations between these two artists. Buika proves again that she has no musical limits.

I first heard about Buika through Amazon, and very much appreciated the option of listening to some sample segments online. Her throaty, sultry voice really works for me, and I love the rich intersection of flamenco, jazz, and cabaret; West Africa and Spain. I am reminded at times of some of the great music coming from Cape Verde, and the music has the power of Portuguese fado, yet in a wonderfully understated way. I have since purchased a second album of Buika's, and it too is richly satisfying - melodically and rhythmically.

I have gifted this album as much as any other...It is one thing to have Buika but with Chucho Valdes...ohhh! My!I think just two of the cuts alone are worth price of admission (and as others have already said...playful in spots that brings out a side of Buika I was not even aware of...)With Buika and Sr. Valdes playing off each other it gets very wonderful (is there a proper word?) If you like voice and piano, you should have this.

As a Mariza devotee it was an obligation for me to buy this album. Concha Buika sings on Mariza's "Terra" album. The producer of "Terra", Javier Limon, plays beautiful guitar here. And, Chucho Valdes played piano for Mariza. I was not disappointed. Concha's raspy voice required a little adjustment for my ears. Her voice lacks the obvious beauty heard in Mariza or Toni Childs. Concha proves it's not what you have, but how you use it that matters. This album has a rich textured feel that rewards repeated listening. I love it.

I bought this because of the good reviews. Sadly it sounds like an aging singer in a second rate piano bar.

One of the best artist. I love her velvet voice and the Spanish and South American rhythms. Really extraordinary performer as well.

As a musician myself .I understand all forms of the performing and literary expressions of art , which is the storehouse of human endeavour.

Buika has an exceptional voice and sings with a controlled passion, accompanied with great sensitivity by the piano of Chucho Valdes. This is a memorable CD.

Best album ever, amazing voice with great musicians. Genial the mixed between Buika and Chucho, the result couldn't be better!