Chambao

Chambao
Origin	Málaga, Andalusia, Spain
Genres	Flamenco-electronic
Years active	2002 (2002)–present
Website	www.chambao.es
Members
La Mari Roberto Cantero Oliver Sierra Toni Romero Toni Cantero Juan Heredia Pepe Cielo

The name Chambao comes from Málaga, in Southern Spain, and refers to a simple beach shack whose roof is made from palm leaves or bamboo and is supported by wooden sticks. It serves as refuge from the burning sun and strong winds of the south for the fisherman who grills sardine and other fish ( el Espetero)…the lapping of the waves, the broad stretch of sand, friends, music…the “Chambao” is more than just an ephemeral space of fire-lit bundles of blankets and cushions protecting against the cool winds of the sea; it’s a place to bask in the sheer joy of being alive. Chill Out music is distinguished from other types of electronic music by its lack of both trance and pounding rhythms: it’s based instead on a slow tempo to contrast with the hectic and vertiginous pêle mêle of urban life in our global society. Chambao is created through the happy fusion of sensuality, flamenco passion, 3by4 tempo, tangos, rumbas and electronic chill out. In 2001 Lamari (vocals) met up with two neighbouring friends, cousins Daniel Casañ (composer and guitar) and Eduardo Casañ (composer and guitar) and together they started making music in the barrio of Pedregalejos, Málaga. It wasn’t long before they met the Dutch musician Henrik Takkenberg, and they made a demo of the songs that would go on to form their first album, Chambao Flamenco Chill (a combined effort double CD in which Chambao show their own special way of feeling and making music together with the work of other groups and artists). The mix of flamenco fusion and instrumental electronic ambient music produces a musical concept that is at once both Spanish and cosmopolitan. In 2003 their first solo album Endorfinas en la Mente was released, produced by Bob Benozzo who would also go on to produce Pokito a Poko in 2005. From this moment on Lamari continued on her own at the helm of Chambao. She infused the lyrics with passion and conviction: “step by step, understanding that it’s not worth walking just for the sake of walking, we need to grow as we go” “pokito a poko, entendiendo que no vale la pena andar por andar, es mejor caminar pa ir creciendo” Along the way Lamari shares experiences and works in collaboration with different groups and international artists of the caliber of Cesarea Évora, Mojo Project and Ricky Martin as well as Spanish flamenco heavy weights Enrique Morente, El Bicho, Estrella Morente, and Javier Ruibal, to name but a few. The album Con otro aire (2007) sees Lamari fully involved in the production together with Bob Benozzo, Ale Acosta (dj and guitar) and Roberto Cantero (flute and sax). The album stretches across from East to West and from North to South while maintaining its solid southern Mediterranean roots. The fresh, ethnic sound is infused with other influences and latitudes and the lyrics speak of the things that influence, worry or amuse her: “music is the closest sensation there is to feeling, love, freedom….it’s very difficult to define in words, or to give it a label, and as humans we have a tendency to want to put a label on anything our mind cannot understand”. Towards the end of 2009 Chambao travelled to the Perito Moreno glacier in Argentinian Patagonia to give a very special concert with no audience. In addition to the themes of climate change and other crimes against nature suggested by such a setting, listening to songs like the one which opens the album Detalles, or Caprichos de colores … Despierta invite the listener to dream, to believe and to be conscious that other worlds are not only possible but also necessary. Dream-like worlds blend seamlessly with catchy rhythms and are mixed with poetic brushstrokes of feeling and emotions. Music is “a living being and as such should develop, grow and adapt to its environment”; what is surprising about Chambao’s musical proposition is the harmonious union between tradition and technological innovation, with lyrics which create an atmosphere of musical purification. In addition to music, Chambao is also the manifest desire for a meaningful life. Ten years later Chambao continues their journey; sailing onwards, with the smell of salt in the air, and of sun, of sea, music and life.

Discography

• 2002: Flamenco Chill, a double CD by various artists that was released by Sony.
• 2003: Endorfinas en la mente (Endorphins in the Mind), the band's first record on their own. It sold over 80,000 copies in 20 countries and received a Premios Ondas award.
• 2005: Pokito a poko (Little by Little or "Step by Step"); original member Dani contributed to eight of the songs on this album before leaving the band. The album has sold more than 100,000 copies.
• 2006: Caminando 2001-2006, a double CD plus DVD
• 2007: Con otro aire
• 2008: Papeles Mojados (cd single), including Papeles Mojados and the brand new version duet with Elena Paparizou (Greek Female Singer).
• 2009: En el fin del mundo, CD plus DVD

External links

• http://www.chambao.es/
• https://www.facebook.com/pages/Chambao-Oficial/175603049176169
• @chambaoOficial
• http://www.tuenti.com/#m=Page&func=index&page_key=1_2214_74939614