Flamenco Sketches

On 2012’s *Flamenco Sketches*, Spanish pianist Chano Dominguez reinterprets the 1959 Miles Davis classic *Kind of Blue* by bringing traditional Spanish elements to the music. Dominguez is joined by bassist Mario Rossy, percussionist Israel Suarez, and vocalist Blas Cordoba. Cordoba and Tomas Moreno also add palmas: the distinctive handclaps that are a key part of flamenco. The opening title track is fairly straight-ahead jazz until Cordoba lets loose on flamenco vocals, creating a striking juxtaposition. Later, percussion kicks in and Dominguez spins out flamenco lines on piano. The next cut, a bluesy “Freddie Freeloader,” is colored by percussion and palmas. Those two long tracks take up almost half the album’s length. Moreno\'s also a dancer, and his percussive footwork contributes greatly to a dark-toned version of “So What.” “Nardis,” a Davis original recorded by pianist Bill Evans, is another standout. One intriguing passage features plucked piano-string tones meshing with quiet percussion. The album closes with “Serpent’s Tooth,” wrapping things up on a speedy, upbeat note.