WOMAD

LaXula

From Spain, United Kingdom

If you’re an up-and-coming outfit who, because your songs are in Spanish, are confined to the box marked ‘world music’, there are few better champions to have than Charlie Gillett. So London-based Spaniards LaXula must be delighted that Dr Gillett praised their debut album In X-ile so vociferously in the Observer Music Monthly. The record’s combination of multi-tempo flamenco and tango led him to proclaim it “a suite of distinct, melodic tunes, each with its own shape and character, each full of space and imagination”. He also regarded it “the album that fans of Ojos De Brujo might have hoped for” and the comparison with the Barcelona band doesn’t end there – LaXula are led by the exotically dressed Monte Palafox whose sense of sartorial style matches that of Ojos De Brujo frontwoman Marina ‘La Canillas’ Abad. Recent sensations on the FreeStage at the BBC Awards For World Music, prepare to welcome a new favourite band into your life.