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Camela
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Camela is a Spanish musical group credited with being the pioneers of the style baptised as tecno-rumba in the 90s. Its members are Dionisio Martin Lobato (singer-composer), María de los Ángeles Muñoz Dueñas (singer-songwriter), and until February 2013, Miguel Angel Jimenez Cabrera (keyboards), all of them from the Madrid neighbourhood of San Cristóbal de los Ángeles. The group is a landmark in the Spanish popular music scene, without critics' acceptance, and hardly any support from the media, they became a massive selling success, having a great musical and sociological impact on Spanish society. Camela is the second best selling band in Spain in the past 20 years, only surpassed by La Oreja de Van Gogh.
Key Information
In 1994, the group released their debut album Lágrimas de amor in Spain on CD and cassette. It was the most successful of the group's career, even though it failed to enter charts. All songs were written by Miguel Ángel Cabrera and recorded in the winter of 1993 to 1994 under the direction of Daniel Muneta. The first single was "Lágrimas de amor".
In 2024, the group was awarded the Gold Medal of Merit in the Fine Arts.[4]
Discography
[edit]Studio albums
- 1994: Lágrimas de amor
- 1995: Sueños inalcanzables
- 1996: Sus 12 primeras canciones
- 1997: Corazón indomable
- 1998: Sólo por ti
- 1999: No puedo estar sin él
- 2000: Simplemente amor
- 2001: Amor.com
- 2003: Por siempre tú y yo
- 2004: Diez de corazón
- 2006: Se ciega x amor
- 2007: Te prometo el universo
- 2008: Laberinto de amor
- 2009: Dioni, Ángeles y Miguel
- 2011: La magia del amor
- 2014: Más de lo que piensas
- 2017: Me metí en tu corazón
- 2022: Que la música te acompañe
References
[edit]- ^ https://web.archive.org/web/20101210071258/http://www.clubdefanscamela.com/biografia/angeles/angeles1.html. Archived from the original on December 10, 2010. Retrieved August 20, 2012.
{{cite web}}: Missing or empty|title=(help) - ^ [1][dead link]
- ^ [2][dead link]
- ^ Quijano, F.D. (23 December 2024). "Camela, José Mercé, Carmen Machi y Los Planetas obtienen la Medalla de Oro al Mérito en las Bellas Artes". El Cultural – via El Español.
External links
[edit]
Camela
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Formation and early years
Origins and initial demos
Camela originated in the working-class neighborhood of San Cristóbal de los Ángeles, located in Madrid's Villaverde district, where the group's distinctive techno-rumba sound took shape amid local cultural influences and limited resources. This southern Madrid suburb, known for its humble, immigrant-heavy community, served as the cradle for the trio's early musical endeavors, fostering a raw, relatable style rooted in everyday experiences. The name "Camela" is an acronym derived from CA (for Ángeles), ME (for Miguel Ángel), and LA (for Lobato, Dioni's surname).[7][8][9] The group formed in 1990 as a trio consisting of vocalists Dionisio Martín Lobato (Dioni) and María Ángeles Muñoz Dueñas (Ángeles), alongside keyboardist and songwriter Miguel Ángel Cabrera Jiménez, who experimented with homemade recordings using basic equipment. Dioni and Ángeles, both teenagers from the neighborhood, had met through family connections and began collaborating musically after overcoming personal hardships, including early parenthood, while Dioni drew from flamenco influences and Ángeles contributed techno elements. Miguel Ángel joined shortly after, helping to refine their sound through informal sessions that blended electronic beats with rhythmic guitar and heartfelt vocals. These initial efforts were hobby-like pursuits, born from a desire to express personal stories in a neighborhood setting.[9][7][10] From these sessions emerged a series of self-financed cassette demos, distributed informally at markets, gas stations, and local venues to build grassroots support. The earliest, Tinieblas (1990), marked their debut recording, capturing rudimentary tracks that showcased emerging techno-rumba fusion. This was followed by Junto a mí (1992, reedited in 1994), Me gustan tus ojos (1993, reedited in 1994), and Llorarás (1994), each featuring 8-10 songs produced on a shoestring budget without major label backing. These demos highlighted recurring themes of love, passion, and heartbreak, drawn from the trio's lived experiences, resonating with working-class audiences through simple, emotional lyrics and accessible melodies.[1][7][11]Debut album and breakthrough
Camela released their debut album, Lágrimas de amor, in 1994 through the independent label Producciones AR, S.L., available in both CD and cassette formats. The album's tracks were primarily composed by keyboardist and band member Miguel Ángel Cabrera, who wrote the lyrics and music for all songs, with arrangements handled by Daniel Muneta. Recorded during the winter of 1993–1994, the record marked the group's entry into the tecno-rumba genre, blending electronic elements with rumba influences in a style they helped pioneer.[12] The title track served as the first single, "Lágrimas de amor," which received moderate initial reception within Spain's underground music scenes, gaining traction through grassroots distribution rather than mainstream radio play.[12] Following their signing with Producciones AR earlier that year, the album began to build momentum, eventually achieving commercial success with sales exceeding 100,000 copies and maintaining presence on Spanish charts into 1995.[13] This performance established Camela as an emerging act in the Spanish music landscape, particularly appealing to working-class audiences. Early live performances further fueled the group's grassroots popularity, starting with their debut show at Bar Pepe, a small venue in their hometown neighborhood of San Cristóbal de los Ángeles in Madrid's Villaverde district—a working-class area known for its vibrant community markets and local gatherings.[8] Promoted via handmade posters and word-of-mouth, the intimate concert for around 40 attendees sold out quickly, with fans clamoring for autographs and encores, reflecting the organic buzz from prior cassette sales at nearby markets. This local fervor in Madrid's peripheral, proletarian zones laid the foundation for their breakthrough, transitioning from neighborhood venues to wider recognition.[8]Career development
Rise to prominence
Following the release of their debut album in 1994, Camela solidified their presence in the Spanish music scene with Sueños inalcanzables in 1995, an album that expanded on their emerging sound and featured tracks like the title song, marking a step forward in production quality and distribution through Producciones AR. The following year, 1996 saw the release of Sus 12 primeras canciones, a compilation that reissued material from their early 1992 and 1993 demos, allowing fans to access previously limited recordings such as "Palabras de papel" and "Te llevaré," which helped bridge their underground origins with a broader audience.[14] The group's breakthrough came in 1997 with Corazón indomable, their first album to reach number one on the AFYVE charts in Spain, where it topped the list for two weeks in March, including surpassing international acts like the Spice Girls and establishing Camela as a domestic powerhouse.[15] This success was fueled by their early tecno-rumba style, which blended electronic beats with rumba rhythms to create an infectious, danceable formula that resonated widely. Building on this momentum, Camela released Solo por ti in 1998, followed by No puedo estar sin él in 1999, both albums adhering to and refining their rumba-pop approach with hits like "Por qué te vas" and "No puedo estar sin él," which further entrenched their formula of romantic, upbeat tracks.[16][17] These works maintained chart presence and live appeal without deviating from their core sound. Throughout the late 1990s, Camela's rising profile drew increasing media attention in Spain, transforming them from a niche act into a cultural phenomenon synonymous with tecno-rumba's explosion in popularity among working-class and youth audiences.[18] Their fanbase expanded rapidly across the country, driven by radio play, regional tours, and word-of-mouth in communities where their relatable lyrics on love and hardship connected deeply, solidifying their status as one of Spain's top-selling acts of the decade.[15]Label changes and international expansion
In 2000, Camela transitioned from their previous label, AR, to EMI, a move that facilitated greater production resources and wider distribution for their music. This label change marked a pivotal shift in their career, allowing the group to produce more polished recordings while maintaining their signature sound. Their debut album under EMI, Simplemente amor, released that year, featured ten tracks that built on their established popularity, achieving strong sales and chart performance in Spain.[19][20] The partnership with EMI continued to yield commercial successes, most notably with the 2001 album Amor.com, which sold 300,000 copies in Spain and contributed to their growing commercial success, with total career sales exceeding 7 million copies.[21][15] In support of this expansion, Camela embarked on a promotional tour in Latin America in May 2001, starting with performances and appearances in Chile, where they were surprised by an enthusiastic reception from local fans, marking their initial foray into international markets beyond Spain.[22] Under EMI, Camela released a series of albums through 2011, solidifying their commercial trajectory and enabling further outreach. Notable among these was 10 de corazón in 2004, a special edition commemorating the group's tenth anniversary, which included re-recorded hits and new material to celebrate their decade-long career. This period of label stability allowed Camela to focus on creative output while gradually building an international fanbase through targeted promotions in Latin American countries, though their primary success remained rooted in the Spanish market.[23]Transition to duo and recent work
In February 2013, keyboardist Miguel Ángel Cabrera announced his departure from Camela due to disagreements with the remaining members, Ángeles Muñoz and Dioni Martín, marking the end of the group's trio formation after over two decades together.[24] This shift transformed Camela into a duo, with Muñoz and Martín continuing to perform and record as the core act.[25] Under their new label Warner Music Spain, the duo released Más de lo que piensas in 2014, their first album in the streamlined format, featuring the lead single "Ya se acabó el tener dueño," which highlighted their signature emotional storytelling in techno-rumba.[1] In 2017, they followed with Me metí en tu corazón, promoted by the single "No pongas riendas al corazón," blending traditional elements with updated production techniques. The 2019 compilation Rebobinando (25 Años) celebrated their milestone anniversary by remixing and recontextualizing earlier hits for contemporary audiences.[26] Their most recent studio album, Que la música te acompañe, arrived in 2022, incorporating subtle modern sonic adaptations while preserving their core genre identity. In 2024, Camela received the Gold Medal of Merit in the Fine Arts for their contributions to Spanish music. In June 2020, Muñoz and Martín published their autobiography Camela por Camela: La banda sonora de nuestra vida, a 288-page account detailing their personal and professional journey, complete with exclusive photos and reflections on the group's evolution.[27] The duo has maintained an active touring schedule, with ongoing performances across Spain and announcements in 2025 for 2026 shows, including a major concert at Live Las Ventas in Madrid on February 27, generating expectations for high-energy celebrations of their enduring appeal.[28]Musical style and themes
Genre characteristics
Tecno-rumba, the signature genre of Camela, represents a distinctive fusion of flamenco rumba rhythms—characterized by their percussive, upbeat patterns derived from gypsy traditions—with pulsating techno beats and accessible pop melodies, creating an energetic yet melodic sound that bridges cultural heritage and modern electronic production.[18] This hybrid style emerged as a hallmark of 1990s Spanish popular music, emphasizing danceable grooves while retaining the passionate flair of flamenco influences.[29] At the core of Camela's tecno-rumba are lyrics that delve into predominant themes of romantic love, heartbreak, and emotional vulnerability, often portraying raw personal experiences in simple, direct language that resonates with everyday listeners.[18] Songs frequently narrate stories of longing, betrayal, and tender affection, using colloquial expressions to evoke universal sentiments of joy and sorrow in relationships.[30] The duo's vocal interplay between Dionisio Martín Lobato and María Ángeles Muñoz Dueñas forms a key element, with their harmonious duets alternating lead and backing vocals to heighten emotional intensity and narrative flow. Complementing this are electronic keyboards and synthesizers, which provide the genre's driving techno backbone through layered synth lines, bass pulses, and rhythmic pads that underpin the rumba percussion.[18] Camela's innovative approach positioned them as pioneers in popularizing tecno-rumba across 1990s Spain, transforming it from a niche fusion into a mainstream phenomenon that captured the spirit of working-class culture and nightlife.[29]Influences and evolution
Camela's musical style draws heavily from flamenco rumba traditions, incorporating rhythmic compás, acoustic guitars, and melodic cadences rooted in gitano culture, which provide the emotional and percussive foundation of their sound.[31] This rumba influence is blended with 1990s techno elements, such as synthesizers and electronic beats, creating the pioneering tecno-rumba genre that defined their early work.[32] Additionally, their accessible melodies and structures reflect the broader Spanish pop scene of the era, emphasizing catchy hooks and universal appeal akin to contemporary acts in the national music landscape.[33] In the early 1990s, Camela's sound emerged through self-produced demo cassettes, like the 1994 release Lágrimas de amor, which captured a raw fusion of rumba rhythms and basic electronic production distributed informally at markets and gas stations.[32] By the late 1990s, after signing with EMI in 1999, their evolution shifted toward polished studio productions in the 2000s, as seen in albums such as Simplemente amor (2000) and Amor.com (2001), where refined electronic layers and professional arrangements enhanced the rumba core without diluting its passionate intensity.[34] This period marked a transition from grassroots demos to mainstream accessibility, incorporating more sophisticated pop instrumentation while preserving thematic focus on love and heartbreak. Following the 2013 departure of keyboardist Miguel Ángel Cabrera, Camela continued as the duo of Dionisio Martín and María Ángeles Muñoz Dueñas, integrating modern electronic elements like contemporary synths and digital effects into their rumba foundation, evident in releases under Warner Music such as Más de lo que piensas (2014), Me metí en tu corazón (2017), and the 2019 compilation Rebobinando (25 Años). This evolution maintained the genre's emotional rumba essence amid lineup changes, allowing the group to remain relevant in a shifting musical landscape. Collaborations further exemplified this blending, including "Vete" with Omar Montes in 2021, which fused tecno-rumba with urban flamenco vibes, "Poquito a Poco" with El Arrebato, highlighting pop-rumba synergy, and "Corazón Congelado 3.0" with Pastora Soler in 2024, merging their style with emotive Spanish pop balladry.[35][36]Members
Current members
Camela's current lineup consists of the duo Dionisio Martín Lobato and María Ángeles Muñoz Dueñas, who have been the core members since the group's formation in 1990. Dionisio Martín Lobato, born on October 31, 1970, in San Cristóbal de los Ángeles, Madrid, Spain, serves as the primary singer and composer for Camela.[37] He has contributed significantly to the duo's songwriting from its inception, crafting melodies that blend techno-rumba elements with emotional depth.[38] Lobato's compositions often draw from personal experiences, helping define Camela's signature sound in their studio albums and live performances. María Ángeles Muñoz Dueñas, born on August 20, 1974, in San Cristóbal de los Ángeles, Madrid, Spain, is the other key vocalist and songwriter in the duo.[39] Known professionally as Ángeles Muñoz, she brings a distinctive vocal style characterized by passionate, expressive delivery that complements the group's rhythmic style. Her lyric-writing contributions focus on themes of love and resilience, enhancing the emotional resonance of Camela's tracks since the early days.[38] As of 2025, Lobato and Muñoz Dueñas continue to lead Camela's activities, including international tours and new music releases. They released their album Que la música te acompañe in 2022, which features their collaborative songwriting and performances. The duo regularly headlines concerts across Spain and Latin America, maintaining their role as performers and creative forces behind the group's enduring popularity.[40]Former members
Miguel Ángel Cabrera Jiménez, born on January 25, 1972, in San Cristóbal de los Ángeles, Madrid, Spain, served as the keyboardist and a key composer for Camela during its formative years.[41] He joined the group as a founding member in the early 1990s, contributing to initial demo recordings starting around 1990 and playing a pivotal role in shaping their sound through all albums released during the trio era.[42][43] Cabrera's compositional work was instrumental in Camela's early success, including tracks on their debut album Lágrimas de amor (1994), where he penned the title song and several others that defined the group's techno-rumba style.[44] His keyboard arrangements and songwriting provided the melodic foundation for hits like "Sueño contigo," blending electronic elements with romantic themes that resonated widely.[42] Throughout his tenure, spanning over two decades, Cabrera co-authored numerous tracks across albums such as Sueños inalcanzables (1995) and Corazón de ángel (1996), ensuring the group's consistent output during their rise.[45] In February 2013, Cabrera announced his departure from Camela, citing irreconcilable creative differences and a lack of agreement with his bandmates regarding contributions to the group's direction.[46][47] This exit significantly altered the group's dynamics, as it ended the original trio configuration after more than 20 years of collaboration, prompting Camela to transition into a duo while continuing their performances and recordings.[48] The departure marked a shift in creative control and musical evolution for the remaining members.[24]Legacy and achievements
Commercial success
Camela has achieved significant commercial success, selling over seven million albums worldwide throughout their career, with more recent estimates placing the figure above nine million copies across all formats including cassettes and compilations.[49][50] In 2001, the duo reached a milestone of four million total album sales, earning a diamond certification for exceeding this threshold, while their album Amor.com alone sold over 400,000 copies that year.[22] Their sales were bolstered by widespread distribution in non-traditional outlets like gas stations and markets, reflecting their accessibility to everyday consumers.[49] Camela dominated the Spanish charts early in their career, securing multiple number-one albums on the AFYVE/PROMUSICAE lists starting from 1997 with releases like Corazón indomable, which sold over 500,000 units and topped the chart immediately upon release.[51] Subsequent albums such as Rebobinando (2019) and Que la música te acompañe (2022) also reached the top spot, demonstrating sustained chart performance into recent years.[52][53] The group's strong appeal to working-class audiences in Spain, driven by the relatable themes and energetic tecno-rumba sound, has extended to a loyal fanbase in Latin American markets, where they have conducted promotional tours and achieved notable regional sales.[49][22]Awards and recognition
In December 2024, Camela was awarded the Gold Medal of Merit in the Fine Arts by the Spanish Ministry of Culture, recognizing their contributions to Spanish music and culture alongside other artists such as José Mercé and Los Planetas.[54][55] Camela received a nomination for the Premios Odeón in 2020 in the category of Grupo Odeón for their career trajectory, highlighting their enduring impact on Spanish popular music.[56] The duo has been widely acknowledged in Spanish media and music journalism as pioneers of the tecno-rumba genre, a fusion of electronic and rumba elements that they helped popularize in the 1990s, influencing subsequent artists and shaping cultural narratives around working-class music scenes.[57][58][59] To mark their 25th anniversary in 2019, Camela released a compilation album featuring collaborations with artists like Taburete, Alaska, and Pitingo, and performed a special concert at Madrid's WiZink Center, events that underscored their lasting influence and fan loyalty.[60][61]Discography
Studio albums
Camela has released eighteen studio albums since their formation, primarily through independent labels like Producciones AR, blending techno-rumba with themes of romantic turmoil, unrequited love, and emotional resilience.[1] Their discography reflects a consistent evolution within the genre, achieving significant commercial success in Spain, with collective sales exceeding several million units across their catalog.[62] The following table lists their studio albums in chronological order:| Album | Year | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Lágrimas de amor | 1994 | Camela's debut studio album, self-financed and independently released on CD and cassette, introducing their pioneering techno-rumba sound centered on heartbreak and passion; certified platinum in Spain for over 100,000 copies sold.[12][63][13] |
| Sueños inalcanzables | 1995 | Second studio album building on the debut's momentum, featuring upbeat tracks with recurring motifs of unattainable dreams and romantic longing in the techno-rumba style.[64][1] |
| Sus 12 primeras canciones | 1996 | Third release compiling and re-recording early material, emphasizing foundational love-themed songs that solidified their fanbase in Spain's dance scene.[1] |
| Corazón indomable | 1997 | Fourth album exploring themes of untamed emotions and fidelity, maintaining the group's signature electronic-flamenco fusion.[1][65] |
| Sólo por ti | 1998 | Fifth album focusing on romantic dedication and desire, continuing the narrative-driven approach in their discography.[1][17] |
| No puedo estar sin él | 1999 | Sixth album delving into themes of dependency and longing in relationships.[1] |
| Simplemente amor | 2000 | Seventh album simplifying romantic expressions through straightforward lyrics and rhythms, peaking at number one on Spanish charts.[1][66] |
| Amor.com | 2001 | Eighth release incorporating early internet-era motifs into love stories, with collaborations enhancing its pop appeal.[1] |
| Por siempre tú y yo | 2003 | Ninth album dedicated to enduring love, featuring tracks produced by Daniel Muneta that refreshed their classic sound.[1][67] |
| Diez de corazón | 2004 | Tenth studio album celebrating their 10th anniversary with 12 tracks and a bonus DVD, highlighting heartfelt ballads and dance numbers.[1][68] |
| Se ciega x amor | 2006 | Eleventh album exploring intense romantic passion and blindness to love's flaws.[1] |
| Te prometo el universo | 2007 | Twelfth album reaffirming their roots with love-centric songs, including promises of eternal devotion.[1][69] |
| Laberinto de amor | 2008 | Thirteenth release navigating complex emotional mazes in relationships.[1] |
| Dioni, Ángeles y Miguel | 2009 | Fourteenth album highlighting the trio's collaboration on heartfelt tracks.[1] |
| La magia del amor | 2011 | Fifteenth release featuring the single "Olé," blending magic and romance in 10 new tracks true to their style.[1][70] |
| Más de lo que piensas | 2014 | Sixteenth album addressing deeper emotional insights and surprises in love.[1] |
| Me metí en tu corazón | 2017 | Seventeenth studio album, debuting at number one on Spanish charts.[1] |
| Que la música te acompañe | 2022 | Eighteenth and most recent studio album, marking new material after a hiatus, with songs like "No me hables" focusing on accompaniment through music and emotion; it debuted at number one on Spanish sales charts.[1][71][72] |
Compilation albums
Camela has released several compilation albums that collect their most popular tracks, often including remastered versions, unreleased material, or special editions to mark career milestones. These releases have played a key role in maintaining the duo's visibility and fan engagement during periods between new studio projects.[73] One of the earliest notable compilations is Dance (1998), a mixed collection featuring upbeat tracks like "Corazón Indomable" and "Lágrimas de Amor," aimed at dance-oriented audiences and highlighting their techno-rumba style.[74] Later, 24 Éxitos de Oro (2000) gathered 24 of their biggest hits from the 1990s, such as "Amor Imposible" and "Háblale de Mí," serving as an accessible entry point for new listeners. In the mid-2000s, Camela issued multiple greatest hits packages to capitalize on their established catalog. 10 de Corazón (2004), released for their 10th anniversary, included 12 tracks plus a bonus DVD with live performances, reinforcing their enduring appeal.[68] This was followed by Oro: La Colección (2005), a double-disc set with remastered hits and one new track, celebrating over a decade of success with selections spanning their early years. Also in 2005, Lo Mejor de Camela compiled essential songs, focusing on romantic themes central to their music.[73] Subsequent compilations continued this tradition. Platino: Las 30 Canciones (2011) featured 30 platinum-certified tracks, underscoring their commercial achievements.[73] The most recent major release, Rebobinando (25 Años) (2019), marked their 25th anniversary with 45 tracks, including remakes as duets with artists like Alaska and Juan Magán, plus original hits, blending nostalgia with fresh interpretations to sustain popularity.[26]| Title | Year | Key Features |
|---|---|---|
| Dance | 1998 | Mixed compilation of dance tracks |
| 24 Éxitos de Oro | 2000 | 24 greatest hits from the 1990s |
| 10 de Corazón | 2004 | 12 tracks + DVD for 10th anniversary |
| Oro: La Colección | 2005 | Double disc with remasters and new track |
| Lo Mejor de Camela | 2005 | Selection of romantic hits |
| Platino: Las 30 Canciones | 2011 | 30 platinum tracks |
| Rebobinando (25 Años) | 2019 | 45 tracks with duets and remakes for 25th anniversary |