Rosario - Raskatriski (2011)

Raskatriski is Rosario's first album of new material since 2006. As usual, it was produced by Fernando Illán, and performed by studio pros such as drummer Simon Phillips and percussionist Luis Conte. More significantly, it marks the first time Rosario is responsible for all the music and lyrics on one of her albums. Having spent the past few years busy with covers and live and compilation projects, Rosario sounds positively enthused to be finally releasing all the songs she has been storing for some time. From its defiant opener and first single, "Estoy Cambiando," Raskatriski is a largely energetic collection that shows Rosario embracing her rumba catalana roots, as opposed to her more subdued, chanteuse-oriented late albums. There is, of course, plenty of musical variety, as Rosario remains a crossover artist, equally adept at rumba, son, pop, ballad, and funk. Still, the overall feeling is that of a renewed interest in dance numbers (Rosario considers herself to be primarily a live performer), and of a strong sense of personal identity. As explicitly stated in "Gypsy Funky," Rosario acknowledges her mission in life to be carrying the flag of the contemporary Latin/flamenco entertainer, as a proud member of the Flores clan. On the evidence of Raskatriski, she does an admirable job at it.