Renaissance

Tonino Baliardo, one of the founding members of Gipsy Kings, is back with his first album in more than eight years. Aptly titled, Renaissance burns bright with the passion of a revival. The album came about when Baliardo was forced into hiatus due to the lockdown after 30 years of touring the world. The upshot was an opportunity to relax with his family in Montpellier and compose some new songs. These compositions would become Renaissance.

As one might expect, the album fuses flamenco and pop with sumptuous dashes of salsa and hints of classical. The spirit is good vibes, beach sunsets and plaza flamenco parties peppered with moments of introspection. It's highly danceable for the most part. Baliardo's playing is on point; fast, fiery and full of intensity with enough tenderness to melt hearts. The singers in Gipsy Kings Tonino Baliardo deliver the goods with the grit and unfiltered emotion of a backstreet flamenco bar, yet enough silkiness to woo the pop crowds. Renaissance is like returning to a much-loved Mediterranean destination after several years and bumping into an old flame. All in all, this album sees Tonino Baliardo doing what he does best.