Chambao

The three original members of Chambao -- La Mari, El Edi, and Dani -- made waves in the world music scene with their new brand of flamenco, called flamenco chill, which combined the passion and vocal style of traditional Andalusian flamenco with elements of electronica, specifically chillout. Chambao first appeared to the greater public on the 2002 Sony compilation Flamenco Chill, to which they contributed eight songs. Two years later, their first solo full-length, Endorfinas en la Mente, was released, followed the next year by Pokito a Poko (after which Dani and Edi left). Mari, after successfully battling breast cancer, returned to the stage and studio with Chambao, this time with a new seven-piece backing band. ~ Marisa Brown