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First Listen: Buika, 'La Noche Más Larga'

Buika's new album, <em>La Noche Más Larga</em>, comes out June 4.
Javi Rojo
/
Courtesy of the artist
Buika's new album, La Noche Más Larga, comes out June 4.

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Ever since her self-titled debut in 2005, Spanish singer Concha Buika has mesmerized fans with her dark, husky voice, which mixes the Moorish roots of flamenco with the dexterity of great jazz singers. Buika, part of a long line of captivating female vocalists from Spain, has progressed from her nouveau flamenco beginnings to become an artist with a broad musical vision, as she wraps her spectacular voice around a variety of settings.

In 2009, she released a gorgeous tribute to the late Mexican ranchera vocalist Chavela VargasEl Ultimo Trago, recorded with Cuban pianist Chucho Valdes. Her wrenching vocals in the title track, written by legendary Mexican composer Jose Alfredo Jimenez, expertly capture the profound universality of despair and heartache.

On La Noche Más Larga, out June 4, she digs deep in songs that stand on their own as a near-perfect statement of artistic purpose. She finds new emotional resonance in compositions associated with Abbey Lincoln, Jacques Brel and Billie Holiday. Her five self-penned compositions, including one with guitarist Pat Metheny, add another dimension to her artistry. In all, La Noche Más Larga is a thrilling discovery from an artist who's always a joy to behold.

Copyright 2021 NPR. To see more, visit https://www.npr.org.

Felix Contreras is co-creator and host of Alt.Latino, NPR's pioneering radio show and podcast celebrating Latin music and culture since 2010.