El Barrio is a Spanish new flamenco group, of which José Luis Figuereo is the singer. Nowadays, he is known as one of the more well-rounded artists from Andalucia, as he is not only a singer, he is also a composer and a poet - a singer-songwriter who uses the old flamenco techniques as well as new.
As a poet he gives fresh airs to the flamenco, although he does not tell specific stories, it is very easy to see yourself reflected in them. The contents of his songs define an urban flamenco, describing concepts and full of feeling. His language is lyrical and modern, full of slang, youthful and use gypsy expressions when appropriate.
Being a poet, his voice has a strong and different tone which is reminiscent to the great Spanish flamenco singers. He has first-class use of his throat when singing.
His poetry is evocative of the poetry from the generation of 1898, from the surrealism of Alberti, to the more gypsy Lorca and the extremely passionate Miguel Hernández.
José Luis Figuereo, Selu, El Barrio, is an urban poet of the 21st century for his fans, he has connected very well with them, even more with the young fans who already like flamenco.
[edit] Discography 1996 - Yo Sueño Flamenco 1998 - Mi Secreto 1999 - Mal de Amores 2000 - La Fuente del Deseo 2002 - Me Voy Al Mundo 2003 - Angel Malherido 2005 - Las Playas de Invierno 2007 - La Voz de Mi Silencio
