Viva Flamenco!
Unlike the numerous smooth jazz and neo-flamenco compilations (from Narada and other  labels) littering the marketplace,Viva Flamenco!features numerous accomplished guitar players  who remain far truer to the genre while often experimenting with outside sounds without watering down  their music. Notable names here includeGerardo Nunez,Gino D'Auri, and El Viejin. Amidst some traditional  numbers (many with vocal accompaniment), some artists here also offer fresh perspectives:  Rafael Riqueni  integrates romantic strings into the vivacious "Mi Tiempo," Miguel de la Bastide's speedy six-string  fingerwork on the edited "El Cambio" (accompanied by flute) flows with a subtle jazz undertow, while  Gino D'Auri's agile fretwork on "Barrio Santiago" is accompanied by sprightly tabla playing.  Not all of the  cuts here are outstanding, butViva Flamenco!offers a respectable blend of tracks for the  uninitiated, particularly since much of this compilation won't fit saccharine mainstream radio formats.--Bryan Reesman