Lole y Manuel

Origin

Sevilla, Andalusia

Years Active

1972–1995

Genres

flamenco, nuevo flamenco

Instruments

vocals, flamenco guitar

Biography

Lole y Manuel was a flamenco duo formed in 1972 by musicians Manuel Molina Jiménez and Dolores Montoya Rodríguez. They became pioneers of "nuevo flamenco", a movement that merged traditional flamenco with influences from other musical genres, such as Andalusian rock and Arabic elements. Their music is recognized by Lole's emotive voice and Manuel's expressive guitar.

The duo's first album, "Nuevo Día" (1975), was a critical and commercial success, introducing unprecedented instruments to flamenco, such as the mellotron. This work influenced later nuevo flamenco artists, such as Camarón de la Isla and Kiko Veneno. Throughout their career, Lole y Manuel released albums like "Pasaje del Agua" (1976), "Lole y Manuel" (1977), "Al Alba con Alegría" (1980) and "Casta" (1984), exploring new sounds and experimentation.

After their separation, both pursued solo careers, but Lole y Manuel's legacy as flamenco innovators endures. Lole Montoya's influence, in particular, is recognized by contemporary artists such as Rosalía and Silvia Pérez Cruz. The duo left an indelible mark on Spanish music, paving the way for new generations of flamenco artists.

Discography

• Nuevo Día (1975)
• Pasaje Del Agua (1976)
• Lole Y Manuel (1977)
• Al Alba Con Alegria (1980)
• Lole Y Manuel Presenta Familia Montoya – En Familia (1980)
• Casta (1984)
• Lole Y Manuel Con Orquesta Sinfonica de Londres – Cantan a Manuel de Falla (1992)
• Lole Montoya Canta a Manuel de Falla (1992)
• Alba Molina (1994)
• Una Voz Y Una Guitarra (1995)
• Liberado (1996)
• El origen de la leyenda (2002)
• Metáfora (2018)