De Sur A Sur by Paco Moyano: Flamenco with a Punch (and a Guitar That Won’t Quit)
Let’s get one thing straight—1984 wasn’t just about big hair, leg warmers, and Orwellian paranoia. Over in Spain, Paco Moyano was crafting De Sur A Sur, an album that feels like a flamenco fiesta held in your eardrums. Released under labels Doblon and Dial Discos, S.A., this record is pure Latin heat, with Juan Soto shredding the guitar like it owes him money. It’s raw, real, and kinda makes you want to stomp your feet until your neighbors call the cops.
Now, I’ll be honest—I’m not fluent in fancy music critiques. But let me tell ya, two tracks on this bad boy stood out like a sore thumb at a yoga class. First up, there’s “Militante.” This tune hits hard, like someone spiked your café con leche with espresso. The rhythm grabs you by the collar and says, “Listen up, buddy.” It’s got attitude for days, and Juan Soto’s guitar work? Let’s just say he doesn’t noodle around—he goes full-on virtuoso beast mode. You remember this track because it doesn’t let you forget it.
Then there’s “Tanguillo Los Anticuarios.” If “Militante” is the loud uncle yelling at Thanksgiving dinner, this one’s the cool cousin who sneaks you a beer at the family BBQ. It’s playful but sharp, with a groove so infectious you might start air-guitaring in public (don’t worry, we’ve all been there). There’s something mischievous about it, like it knows it’s breaking the rules of traditional flamenco—and loving every second of it.
The rest of the tracks are solid too, mind you. “Espada Y Cruz” has drama written all over it, while “Agua Generosa” flows smoother than your ex’s excuses. But hey, I’m not here to review every song—that’d be exhausting, and frankly, my coffee’s running low.
What stays with me about De Sur A Sur isn’t just the skill or energy—it’s how unapologetically itself it is. In a world where everything’s filtered and Photoshopped into oblivion, this album feels like someone spilled red wine on the tablecloth and said, “Looks better now, doesn’t it?”
Final thought: If aliens ever invade Earth and ask us to explain human emotion through music, I’m handing them this album. And if they don’t dig it? Well, more flamenco for us, right?
