Roger Scannura

CD Review of Roger Scannura Ritmo Flamenco - Encore on self produced @ jazzreview.comFeatured
Artist: Roger Scannura Ritmo Flamenco

CD Title: Encore

Year: 2004

Record Label: self produced

Style: Gypsy Jazz

Review:
There are a number of impressive guitarists courageous enough to tackle
flamenco. Few are as convincing and awe inspiring as Roger Scannura.
Encore is a sampler from each of the Toronto-based Malta native’s four
releases. Each, judging by this, must be a stunner, as there is nothing
here that qualifies as anything less.

The opening “Burnin’ Up” offers handclaps, dancing (Ritmo Flamenco is a
Toronto based Flamenco dance company), violin and bass – at least.
Unfortunately, there is no credit given to the accompanying players on
the disc. The violinist is especially stunning. The guitarist, it goes
without saying, is breathtaking. Through the eight tunes that comprise
this delightful disc, feet play a prominent role. As with all authentic
flamenco, it is a marriage of the guitar and the dancer.

On the gorgeous ballad of “Marissa,” solo guitar takes center stage,
though the robust dancing is never tucked too far into the background.
The melodic “Summerwine” is heart wrenchingly beautiful. As on
“Marissa,” the dancing is accompanist to the player. “Angelica” is a
lilting number that showcases guitar work as fine as I’ve ever heard in
any context. Again, with no personnel listing on the insert, the players
go un-credited. The electric guitar that fills in here is superb.

The classic sounding “El Ritmo” is filled out with infectious clapping
and dancing, and “Colmenares,” with its slinky flute accompaniment,
along with the dancers, is hypnotic. The closing “Misterio” again is
made the more magical by the addition of the violinist, percussion and
dancing. This is a must-have for fans of flamenco music.








Reviewed by: Mark E. Gallo



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- Jazz Review Magazine

Roger Scannura & Ritmo Flamenco,
Noche Flamenco
(independent, 2006)



Roger Scannura spent his childhood on the island of Malta and was immersed in music from an early age. He was trained in flamenco guitar by gypsy masters like Pepe Habichuela and has toured Europe and North America as a soloist and a music director for flamenco dance companies. He also is the founder and an active part of the Toronto-based dance company Ritmo Flamenco, with whom he released his latest CD Noche Flamenca.

The CD features 11 self-crafted dance tunes including bulerias, rumbas, fandangos and tangos, just to name the most popular styles. The opening track, "Noche Flamenca," invites the listener to clap his hands in the typical bulerias style. The fiery and passionate rhythm of this flamenco dance takes you immediately to some fireplace of the Gitanos somewhere in Andalusia. Valeria Scannura's hand clapping (palmas) and Laurence Stevenson's fiddle emphasize Scannura's brilliant flamenco rhythms.

Another wonderful dance tune is "En Malaga," a verdiales, or a dance with some stunning rhythm changes and the famous sound of the castanuelas.

I also love the more quiet airs like "Solea," "Silencio" or "Garrotin," where Scannura shows his sensible guitar playing. Stevenson adds his mandola to the beautiful taranta "Santuario por Manuel" and Kevin Quevedo Smith's percussions interfere with Valeria's taconeos (stamping the heels) on the wonderful fandango live performance. The CD ends with a last tremendous tango for Angelica, "El Surco."

Roger Scannura is a gifted composer and flamenco guitarist, and his music takes the listener to the fascinating world of Spanish gypsies.

by Adolf Goriup
Rambles.NET
16 September 2006 - Rambles Magazine