Espiritu Vivo

Performer: Susana Baca
Artist: John Medeski; Marc Ribot
Engineer: Danny Kopelson
Producer: Craig Street
Distributor: Alternative Dis. Alliance

Notes: Personnel includes: Susana Baca (vocals); David Pinto (arranger, bass, background vocals); Marc Ribot (acoustic & electric guitars, loops); Sergio Valdes (acoustic guitar, background vocals); John Medeski (melodica, piano, organ); Juan Medrano Cotito (cajon, background vocals); Hugo Bravo (percussion, background vocals). Recorded at Globe Studios, New York, New York. Includes liner notes by Susana Baca. Peruvian singer Susana Baca has done much to raise the profile of Afro-Peruvian music. True to form, ESPIRITU VIVO brings to life the rich culture of black Peru with such bubbly songs as "Caracunde" and the reflective "Si Me Quitaran." Using a combination of native hand percussion and common instruments (guitars and organ), this album features a mixture of exotic flavors and readily identifiable sounds. ESPIRITU VIVO (and Afro-Peruvian music in general) is easily accessible because of its inherent tunefulness. Moreover, most of us are familiar with this genre's cousins. For example, the minor keyed "Toro Mata" suggests both the sleek Brazilian bossa nova and the fiery Cuban salsa. Yet, Baca's music is far from derivative. The exquisite refrains of "Afro Blue / Zum Zum" and "The Anchor Song" reveal unique instrumental harmonies, and in the case of the former, inventive rhythmical motifs. Further, Baca's own voice couldn't be more arresting. Her tone is silky-smooth and her delivery is both crafty and heartfelt.

Rolling Stone (4/11/02, p.134) - 4 stars out of 5 - "...Baca delivers a cleansing combination of passion and hope..." CMJ (5/6/02, p.10) - "...Inviting arrangements of Afro-Peruvian groove..." JazzTimes (6/02, p.85) - "...pure pleasure..." Vibe (5/02, p.158) - 4 discs out of 5 - "...A delicate, contemplative masterpiece..." Mojo (Publisher) (1/03, p.75) - Ranked #7 in Mojo's "Best World Albums of 2002" Mojo (Publisher) (5/02, p.106) - "...Still the top torch..."

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