Gipsy Kings

This is the album that kicked it all off for the Gipsy Kings. When those first strains of "Bamboleo" rang out, a whole generation of American professionals realized that not only did they like to dance, they needed to dance -- and eat paella, listen to neo-flamenco and drink sangria. All in all, not a bad ripple effect. "Djobi Djoba" was also huge.

Be forewarned: from its first propulsive beats, Gipsy Kings will put a spell on you. An
authentic band of Gypsies from the south of France, these relatives of the renowned Gypsy
singer José Reyes will steal you away on their seven-man guitar caravan to a freewheeling
kingdom of Gypsy rock. It's a boundless realm where Spanish flamenco and Romany
rhapsody meet salsa funk, by way of Morocco and the Middle East, and where h... More >

If they hadn't covered "My Way," maybe the one-worlder in me would adjust his horizons to embrace flamenco guitar and let the rest pass. But there it is, and don't riposte indignantly that "My Way" is a French song--that's the point. Their florid Andalusian emotionalism is Europop's cornball showbiz alternative to soul. I'll take Al Jolson, who invented something. (Grade - B-)