Latin America

The musicians on this recording are all Quechua or Aymara Indians. The instruments featured are: harp, charango (armadillo-shell stringed instrument), tarka (ceremonial mouthpiece flute), violin, pinkullu and quena (end-blown flutes), transverse flute and various types of percussion. A unique selection of powerful and down-to-earth native music. “Jangly metal strings and eerie flutes…relating timeless rituals of love survival.” Audio Magazine (MOW 106)

This award-winning recording has been digitally remastered for CD. Los Troveros Cuyanos sing in close harmony and play cuecas, chacareras and other authentic rhythms from the pampas and mountains of Argentina. Fabian Mozaurieta plays Andean guitar and sings Peruvian huaynos in an unadulterated style. lahuantinsuyo provides an extensive selection of native melodies from the highlands of Bolivia, Ecuador and Peru. (MOW 112)

Los Pregoneros sing and play traditional melodies using harp, jarana and requinto. Maria Olga Pineros and Aires Colombianos present beautiful melodies from the mountains and plains. Songs from the Mexican-American tradition are performed by the legendary Lydia Mendoza. “This is hot stuff” Utne Reader (MOW 113)

MUSICA DE LA TIERRA
Various Artists

Exciting instrumental and vocal music compilation from South America, Mexico & the Caribbean. Artists are Tahuantinsuyo (ensemble); Frantz Casseus/Marc Ribot (guitar); Tico da Costa (guitar,vocals); Atahualpa Poalasin (harp); Los Pregoneros del Puerto (jarocho ensemble); Aires Colombianos (folk music); and Los Troveros Cuyanos (Argentinian duo). This is a wonderful sampler from Latin America and the songs are arranged in an order that is engaging and enticing to the ear. 
(MOW 207)

Inkhay, a Quechua word that means “to feed the fire,” is a group of Andean musicians who promote folk music from various countries of South America. This indigenous music is manifested in the sound of wind and percussion instruments. Also included are string instruments which echo back to Spanish colonial times. These thirteen beautiful songs reflect the ancient and proud heritage of the Andean region. (LAT 50615).

mid-price series

Music and graphics of a rare and unique fiesta from the Andes incorporating indigenous, mestizo and Spanish influences. Over a period of 300 years this special festival has developed into a non-stop four day event. The instrumentation includes flutes, strings, accordions, brass and percussion. Informative documentation about the music and the fiesta is included. A portion of the proceeds from sales of the album are donated to continued support of the fiesta. A joyous and down-to-earth musical experience. (MOW 109)

This powerful recording of thirteen Peruvian folk songs captures the persevering spirit of the Andean peoples. The featured musicians are all blind street players who migrated to the city of Cusco from surrounding areas in order to make a living playing music. It is somewhat of a tradition there for blind men to become musicians, and to live off of donations from the general public and tourists. Proceeds from this newly edited version of recordings are being sent regularly to the musicians and their families to help provide for their basic needs. These are not the modern Andean songs heard in nightclubs, but the songs of the common people played in a direct and unpretentious style. (MOW 105)

Tico da Costa is an insightful composer and a talented guitarist and singer from Brazil whose work has earned worldwide praise. This is his first North American recording, one which combines sensitive solo pieces with typical Brazilian rhythms. (MOW 211)

From the beautiful highlands of South America comes a variety of traditional Andean music, including songs from Ecuador, Peru and Bolivia. Folk styles from Puno and Cusco, the ancient capital of the Incas, are also included. Instruments featured include Andean harp, charango (armadillo shell mandolin), sikus and payas (panpipes) quena flutes, guitar, and percussion. Sixteen songs, excellent sound quality. (LAT 50701)

Lite Budget Series