Miguel Espinoza Flamenco Fusion, Living in a Daydream Review

Miguel Espinoza Flamenco Fusion is a world music ensemble with musicians Miguel Espinoza (guitar), Dianne Betkowski (cello, palmas, and vocals), and Randy Hoepker (bass) as the core members. Their music is rooted in flamenco with harmonic elements of classical, jazz, and Celtic. Rhythmically, the ensemble also incorporates North African and Brazilian rhythms to express a transformative, vibrant, and deeply expressive sound.

Living in a Daydream is Miguel Espinoza Flamenco Fusion’s third full-length album. The release features eight original compositions — four selections are a collaboration with two-time GRAMMY winner Howard Levy (harmonica/piano). Gracefully defiant in form, style, and structure, the musicians explore new sonic textures shaped but not defined by their myriad creative influences. Yet, for all its agility and vision, Living in a Daydream is spared none of the organic, expressive nuance and raw emotion that we’ve come to expect from this group. Also joining the ensemble on various songs are Andy Skellenger-tabla, cajon, and vocals; Mario Moreno – congas, timbales, and percussion; Linda Richardson – castanets; and Nabin Shrestha – tabla and vocals.

“Nagi Yaté” is the core ensemble with guest appearances by Levy and Shrestha. Espinoza performes a beautiful flamenco introduction. His nylon-strung guitar is warm and woody as Betkowski’s cell joins. The theme is an exciting structure with added tabla and hand claps. Levy and Betkowski trade phrases with beautiful tones and musicality. Espinoza has great guitar inflections and techniques. The tabla gives the song energy as all the parts of the ensemble pair well through a well-written composition. The Indian Classical music-inspired interlude is charming.

“The Storm” features Levy and Moreno, with the ensemble supporting the main feature with its Latin meets African percussive side. This ensemble’s rhythmic ability is really the song’s main hook. Espinoza’s driving strumming and accents with the cello’s warmth and percussion groove are hypnotic; yes, it’s easy to get lost in the music completely. The composition is complimentary as a vehicle for this ensemble to whirr and clangor in an expressive manner. The solo section features superb playing by Espinoza, Betkowski, Levy, and Moreno.

Living in a Daydream is world music of the highest order. Melodic, rhythmic, and texturized by an innovative and talented core ensemble with the added gifted guests.