Con otro aire is Chambao's fourth album and has a more fresh, ethnic sound than the band's previous works. The songs' lyrics talk of the things that influence, entertain and worry La Mari, including problems as acute as immigration on the song "Papeles mojados." Among the collaborations that appear on the album, the standouts are those of two huge Flamenco stars: Estrella Morente (on the song "Lo bueno y lo malo") and Enrique Morente (on Respira). The Mexican group Camila also appear on the track "Yo soy quién." "Camila popularised the song "Nanga ti feo" which I revived under the name "Yo soy quién." Originally it was based on a traditional Zapotec song and we've mixed cultures, planting another seed of musical crossbreeding," confirms La Mari.

Con otro aire starts with "Papeles mojados," an emotional compo- sition of Lamari's which starts the album as it means to go on. Instruments such as the kanun, the lute and the saz; percussive sounds from the darbuka, dahola, riq, davul and gunguru; and Arabic vocals combine on this song which assumes a comforting, supporting stance ("Many never arrive, their dreams fall apart, their papers get wet, papers with no home") and starts to break boundaries with a rhythm that is like a worldwide rumba which nonetheless sounds more acoustic and ethnic than the group's previous albums. "Duende del sur follows," containing elements of the song "Caminando por la calle" (by the Gipsy Kings and Rubén Blades) on a smooth, loving track of flamenco extraction, with Lamari's voice sweeter than ever. "Detalles" is another excellent example of a fusion of flamenco-based inspiration and Chambao's own aesthetic, while "Canto de la ballena" (one of the three songs not written by Lamari) has eastern flavours and backing vocals which fall somewhere between Africa and Latin America, in an inspirational fusion of popular musical genres.

The surprise of the album comes with the Multi-Platinum Mexican group Camila on the track "Yo soy quién." "Camila popularised the song "Nanga ti feo" which I revived under the name "Yo soy quién." Originally it was based on a traditional Zapotec song and we've mixed cultures, planting another seed of musical crossbreeding," confirms La Mari of the song which ends Con otro aire and helps make it Chambao's best album yet.

Upcoming Chambao Tour Dates
May 1st. San Juan PR @ Centro De Bellas Artes
May 3rd Miami, FL @ Fillmore Miami Beach (At The Jackie Gleason)

Tu Recuerdo / Live Duet with Ricky Martin


View the "Papelese Mojados" Video
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