Buleria Con Ricardo

Buleria Con Ricardo is a composition by sitarist and composer Anoushka Shankar, released as part of her studio repertoire. The track spans 6 minutes and 4 seconds and belongs to the flamenco-fusion subgenre, blending Indian classical music with Andalusian flamenco traditions. Shankar performs the sitar as the lead instrument, accompanied by an ensemble that includes flamenco guitar, percussion, and vocal elements, though the full lineup of collaborating artists remains partially undocumented in available sources.

The piece title references the bulería, a fast-paced flamenco palo (form) originating from Jerez, Spain, while Con Ricardo suggests a dedication or collaboration—potentially with flamenco guitarist Ricardo Miño, a frequent collaborator in Shankar’s cross-genre projects. The track exemplifies Shankar’s exploratory approach to fusing Hindustani classical raga structures with flamenco’s rhythmic (compás) and melodic frameworks. No standalone single or album release date is confirmed for this specific recording, but it aligns with her broader discography from the 2010s, a period marked by experimental fusions.

Notable features of Buleria Con Ricardo include intricate jhala-style sitar passages interwoven with flamenco falsetas (guitar improvisations) and palmas (handclaps). The composition avoids traditional alat (slow introduction) in favor of an immediate rhythmic drive, reflecting flamenco’s emphasis on percussive intensity. Live performances of the piece, where documented, often highlight spontaneous interactions between Shankar and accompanying flamenco artists, though no official live album or video release is verified.

The track’s production credits and recording label remain unspecified in public records. Shankar’s work during this era frequently involved independent or boutique labels, with distribution handled by entities such as Deutsche Grammophon or her own imprint. Buleria Con Ricardo serves as a representative example of her later-career focus on global fusion, distinct from her earlier, more traditional Hindustani classical albums.