Chambao

• Genre: Downtempo
• Chambao Website

About

Formed in 2002 in Malaga, Spain, Chambao did something so obvious it was shocking nobody had tried it before: They combined downtempo and flamenco. Calling the hybrid flamenco chill, the group released its debut Endorfinas en la Mente in 2003. The album sold well, and Chambao snapped up a Premios Ondas award to boot. They followed up with 2005's Pokito a Poko, which reached an even larger audience, but the triumph was marred slightly by the departure of founding member Dani, who'd had a hand in writing most of the songs on the album. Still, the group bounced back with their most adventurous release yet, 2007's Con Otro Aire (2008 in the U.S.). The album saw lead singer and creative force Mari writing nine of the 11 tracks and collaborating with some of the guiding lights of flamenco, including both Enrique and Estrella Morente.

- Sarah Bardeen