My Songs & And A Poem
Perhaps flamenco legendEnrique Morentewas  prescient when he named his daughter Estrella (starin Spanish), because  that's precisely what this singer is destined to become judging by the strength  of this phenomenal debut album. Originally released in Spain,My Songs and a  Poemspeaks directly to the heart of classic flamenco with a selection of  tangos, bulerías, and other styles, with music written mostly by her  father. Yet she is not merely aping Enrique; rather, she makes this material  entirely her own. From the aching sweetness of "Moguer" to the fire of the  opening song "Cockles," the younger Morente shows off her virtuosic dexterity,  her voice's color shifting from one end of the emotional spectrum to the other.  Her sound is rich and round, yet she maintains an exacting precision in her  delivery. Her worthy collaborators include a notable roundup of uncles and  cousins, including the Carmonas (who perform asKetama, a  flamenco-rock-jazz-world hybrid). Another guest is guitarist Alfredo Lagos,  whose razor-sharp articulation is a delight. The sound of these recordings, made  in a variety of studios across Spain and in live performances, is uniformly rich  and clear. The most striking fact about this album, though, is that it's the  work of a 20-year-old. Estrella Morente is a fully formed artist, technically  and emotionally, who embodies the soulful spirit ofcante jondo, or "deep  song." In picking up this album for international sale, Real World proves that  it's still on the cutting edge of bringing local talent to wider audiences.--Anastasia Tsioulcas