Traditional Music from Panama

by Los del Azuero

Overview

From Nimbus comes this album of folk music from the Azuero peninsula of Panama. While the performers are all citizens of Panama City, they hail from the Azuero region, retaining their musical ties, among other things. There is something of a fusion in the music, between Spanish music and African, with the Panamanian mejorana being played throughout every song, and drumming techniques reminiscent of African styles (or at least African-influenced Caribbean styles). The vocals offer both simple singing as well as a good deal of what is essentially yodeling. Along with the mejorana's constant strum and pick come the ever present loops of recorder work by outstanding player Jose Moreno, as well as a slightly rough violin from Miguel Angel Leguizamo. These three instruments, along with the vocals, provide the melodic structure of every piece on the album. The drumming in the background provides the rhythmic structure, as well as a good deal of musicality in its own right from time to time. This is an outstanding album for a glance at the "mainstream folk" music of the connection point between north and south, east and west. Still, the focus of the album is narrow enough to remain enjoyably coherent. Pick it up as a fan of the genre, or as an interested newcomer. ~ Adam Greenberg

Product Details

Release Date:	04/06/1999
Label:	Nimbus
UPC:	0710357557927
Rank:	143101

Tracks

1. El Arbolito (The Little Tree)
2. El Trapichito (The Little Cane Press)
3. La Junta (The Gathering)
4. [Untitled Track]
5. Cocuyito de la Monta¿¿a (Little Firefly from the Mountain)
6. Gritos
7. Cumbia Monta¿¿era (Mountain Cumbia)
8. La Pimienta (The Pepper)
9. La Cita (The Date)
10. Saloma
11. Que Solita Me Has Dejado (How Alone You Have Left Me)
12. [Untitled Track]
13. Saloma
14. La Denesa (The Denesa)
15. La Nena (The Girl)
16. Hojita de Tamarindo (Little Tamarind Leaf)
17. Pepita de Tomatera (Seed of the Tomato Plant)
18. [Untitled Track]
19. Amanecer Sante¿¿o (Dawn in los Santos)
20. Grito
21. La Viudita de la Miel (The Little Widow of la Miel)
22. ¿¿Ay! Chango Felipe Torres! (Ay! Monkey Felipe Torres!)
23. Julia Pela la Yuca (Julia Peels the Yucca)
24. Mogollon

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Los del Azuero   Primary Artist
Jamie Hart   Primary Artist
Anon   Primary Artist
Victor Ruiz   Percussion
Euclides Videaud   Percussion,Accordion
Facundo Cabral   Gritos

Technical Credits

Nigel Gallop   Engineer,Producer,Translation
Jamie Hart   Performer
Robin Broadbank   Photography,Producer,Engineer
Traditional   Composer
Anon   Performer