Zyryab

Paco de Lucía, 1990, from Zyryab. Solo by Paco de Lucía, Manolo Sanlúcar.

Named after a medieval Andalusian musician; flamenco meets jazz with Chick Corea on piano.

Zyryab is named after a medieval musician who brought new ideas to Andalusian music, and the track brings its own new ideas to flamenco. Paco de Lucía and Manolo Sanlúcar play intricate guitar parts, while Chick Corea's piano adds jazz harmony that pushes the music into unfamiliar territory. The guitar lines are fast and dense, weaving through complex rhythmic passages and modal harmony. It is one of the clearest examples of Paco's openness to jazz without abandoning flamenco's rhythmic core. Listen for the moments where piano and guitars trade phrases, each pushing the other further from the tradition while keeping the compás intact.

Zyryab by Paco de Lucía is featured in our Flamenco (#6) list. The solo is played by Paco de Lucía, Manolo Sanlúcar and the song was released in 1990.

In our lists

• The 25 Greatest Flamenco Guitar Recordings — #6
• Guest Solos — #12
• The Best Paco de Lucía Guitar Solos — #7

Sources