What we have here is a group with a bad name and a CD with an unmemorable cover. But it turns out this is a very engaging album. It's not all brilliant but there are flashes of genius. It sounds like a radio programme: it is diverse and really well sequenced. It starts out flamenco and you think, OK, Spanish guitars, how much of this can we take? But pretty soon there's dub with clarinet, cajon and laud, then beats & samples are layered on, with all sorts of fun treats and it keeps getting better. And you can judge for yourself, because on their website they offer you a free download of the album and urge you to copy, share and remix it. Now that's a smart business move. They know they can't make money through record sales but if enough people hear the music they will get their message across. Granada Doaba is the brainchild of two Americans: Canyon Cody, who got a Fulbright to go to Spain and research the roots of Flamenco and Sean Dwyer who arranged the beats. The two started Gnalwedge Records in Boston in 2004. In Granada they rented a space and invited locals to drop by and dance or play music, with great success. Luthier Uzman Almerabet is noteworthy. The CD has a signed hand-sewn (by Cody's mom) collage booklet with stickers and rubber stamps. Charmed, I'm sure. Highlights for me are the unknown singer doing "No te rebeldes," accompanied by a pair of Japanese, and the sleek remix of the Peanut Vendor, "El Manisero de Potemkin." Mil gracias! Another surprise is in the track "Juxtapotente": darbouka is credited but the sound you hear is a sitar.