Return of the Gypsies

The Romani people are a fairly misunderstood culture, shrouded in myth, a semi-self-imposed isolationism, and secrecy. But you wouldn’t know that listening to Gipsy Kings. There’s nothing secret about those salsa rhythms bubbling over with rumba and funk, making bones rattle with pulsating dance vibrations. If you don’t know the...

By Erica Landau

February 17, 2011

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The Romani people are a fairly misunderstood culture, shrouded in myth, a semi-self-imposed isolationism, and secrecy. But you wouldn’t know that listening to Gipsy Kings. There’s nothing secret about those salsa rhythms bubbling over with rumba and funk, making bones rattle with pulsating dance vibrations. If you don’t know the Kings’ international smash-hit “Bamboleo,” which seems impossible unless you didn’t step outside during the ’80s and failed to listen to radio throughout the early ’90s, it’s possible you’ve heard their music on an episode of HBO’s Entourage. Better yet, there’s a disturbingly hilarious scene in The Big Lebowski when “the Jesus,” a flamboyant, purple-clad bowler played by John Turturro, thrusts his pelvis, tongues his bowling ball, and boogies from side to side in a celebratory shimmy after bowling a strike. The song featured in both is Gipsy Kings’ passionate rendition of “Hotel California” by The Eagles. Of course, if you haven’t seen The Big Lebowski, stop reading immediately and go update your Netflix queue. All set? Now get some Gipsy Kings tickets because this band will hypnotize crowds at Seminole Hard Rock on Monday.
Mon., Feb. 28, 7 p.m., 2011

Erica Landau

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