Tres Golpes

Perrate is about as traditional a flamenco artist as you can imagine. From Utrera in Andalucía, the family dynasty includes El Lebrijano and Dorantes. So few would have expected him to face the wrath of the purists and make an album with producer Raül Refree, best known for his work with pop sensation Rosalía. Although many tracks being based on songs from the 16th and 17th centuries give even more of an original flavour to this new release.

At certain moments this unusual mix all comes together brilliantly. ‘No Hay Que Decir el Primor’ is a jácara, whose stately baroque pace is lightened with the inspired addition of bells and the subtlest of string sounds. On some tracks, the production just underscores the atmospheric power of Perrate’s rich and weathered voice. On others, all sorts of sounds are in the mix, but they don’t always add much beyond sonic effects. That Perrate is the genuine article among flamenco cantaores is clear from the songs with unadorned voice and guitar. In fact, Refree seems to have progressively less input as the album advances. In the end, it’s an original and interesting approach, but with mixed results.