Ojos Cerrados

Flamenco guitarists are constantly seeking new approaches and settings. Andreas Arnold, born in Germany and now based in Spain and New York City (where he directs the New York Flamenco Jazz Project), brings a fluidity and openness to the form that no doubt derives from his jazz education. He leads with assuredness and an organic sense of rhythm, but also creates ample breathing space in his songs for flute, accordion, horn, bass, palmas (handclaps) and strings in particular – to such an extent that some numbers have almost symphonic-sounding sections. He also lines up a formidable array of gifted vocalists, all of whom are invited to unleash their angst and passion, yet at the same time are retained as elements of a whole – there's none of the soloist's spotlight usually afforded a flamenco vocalist.

A close collaborator with Jordanian singer Farah Siraj, who guests on ‘Al-Amal’, Arnold laces many of his compositions with short, urgent scales and flourishes that evoke Arabian music: songs are dedicated to Palestinians killed in Gaza, victims of racism and ‘badass’ Edward Snowden. But if this is politically charged flamenco, it's also ambient music. The album's title means ‘Eyes Closed’ and these pieces work their original magic by stealth and a sometimes scintillating virtuosity.