Explorer Series: Peru - Kingdom of the Sun: The Inca Heritage

Performer: Various Artists
Engineer: David Lewiston
Distributor: WEA (Distributor)

Notes: Audio Remasterer: Robert C. Ludwig. Liner Note Author: David Lewiston. Recording information: Peru (1968). Photographer: David Lewiston. By today's standards, this exploration of Inca music from Peru might seem somewhat limited, but when originally released in 1969, very little work had been done there in recording native musicians. That said, this remains a remarkable collection because of the quality of the musicians to be heard. The harp playing, in particular, is spectacular, not only for the rippling melodies of the wayno, the dance of the Peruvian mountains, but also for the unusual bass parts. Inevitably there are panpipes (or siku, to offer the proper name), one of the region's oldest instruments, played with rare delicacy and beauty, and flutes. Curiously however, only one track, "Toccto Pachhape," features the charango, an instrument that's become associated more and more with the region, and then as the lead in a larger ensemble. The guitar can be heard on "Torallay Toro," a fiesta song. But the style of playing is highly unusual, and seems to owe little or nothing to the instrument's origins on the other side of the Pacific. However, the real oddity has to be the final cut, "Procession at Pisac," a piece of music used on Sundays as the village mayors leave church. Played on accordion, flute, and conch, it's a strange piece to float in without any explanation of its background -- especially the unusual accordion, not a common instrument in Andean music. However, it plays well, and in the end it adds to the mystique of a culture still shrouded in mystery and history. ~ Chris Nickson

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