Ojos de Brujo - Techari Live
Pias LC07800
Marina la Canillas (v), Ramón Giménez (g), Xavi Turull (perc), DJ Panko (scratching), Sergio Ramos (perc), Maxwell Wright (perc, v), Paco Lomeña (g), Javi Martin (b), Carlitos Sarduy (congas), Robert Carcasses (p), Raul Rodgriguez (tres), Faada Freddy (v), Gyan Singh (tabla) and Carlos Sarduy (t, keys). Rec. 2006

A home crowd couldn't get more excitable than this. All of Barcelona's flamenco hip hop funk-loving Celtic reggae Latin indo-punk fans, all of Barcelona, basically, came out in force on the final night of the eight-piece collective's 2006 tour, three days before Christmas. And what a night it was: while the preceding Techari studio album was nominated for a Latin Grammy for its slick flamenco-heavy fusion, the live version is roughier, edgier and just the way they like it.

With a set list of re-arranged, re-energised tracks from Techari and a stellar array of special guests alongside the anarchic crew themselves, the album moves from laid back to frenetic while maintaining a distinct Cuban flavour throughout. No wonder: new member Carlos Sarduy (formerly of Cuban hip hoppers Free Hole Negro) leads a horn section that would do Havana proud. The highlight? A reworking of Get Up, Stand Up with Daara Js Faada Freddy rapping the message.

Jane Cornwell