Ojos de Brujo

What began as an informal collective rather than a structured ensemble, the Barcelona flamenco fusion outfit Ojos de Brujo—whose name means “Eyes of the Wizard”—coalesced in the mid-’90s. Guitarist Ramon Giménez initiated jam sessions with kindred experimental players, among them vocalist Marina “La Canillas” Abad and percussionist Xavi Turull, as they tested the boundaries of their combined sound. Once the project formalized in 1999, the group delivered its debut album, the wholly self-produced and self-recorded Vengue.

The roster at that stage comprised Giménez, Abad, turntablist DJ Panko, percussionists Sergio Ramos, Turull, and Maxwell Wright, and guitarist Paco Lomeña. Retaining complete control over every phase of production, the musicians issued their follow-up, 2002’s Barí, then mounted an extensive world tour. In addition to broadening their audience, the journey fostered encounters with international artists that spurred further sonic exploration.

Those encounters shaped the 2006 release Techarí, which added Cuban trumpet player Carlos Sarduy to the lineup. Three years later the collective unveiled its third and final studio album, 2009’s Aocaná. After a round of farewell concerts in 2010, Ojos de Brujo disbanded.