Un Saludo a la Música Latina Tradicional
On this week's World Music Show (2/18), besides our usual forays into some varied and unique sounds from musical hotspots around the globe (more on these later), we'll be holding a salute to traditional Latin music (which is the translation of this week's blog headline). We're talking about hearing some classic "Son" Cuban music as well as some marimba music from Guatemala. Plus, we'll take a listen to "Musica Ranchera," otherwise known as Mexico's soulful "country music."
What's in it for you?
Well, for starters, we're going to go a little further back in time on the World Music Show than we normally do, so you'll be getting a peek at some vibrant, strong sounds that will be like getting the nougat straight from a musical Latin candy bar. For instance, the music of Chapottin Cuni Migeulito dates back to early 1940s Cuba. The style of "Son" music is basically Cuba's answer to big band music but with a Jazz and Salsa influence mixed in. The bandleader of this outfit is the grandson of the orginal leader, who lead his band beyond the musical confines of Cuba in the 1950s.
From there, we'll head to Guatemala for some classic marimba music called Chapinlandia. Steeped in centuries of tradition, Marimba Chapinlandia and its music express the "modern" marimba sound that took shape around the turn of the 20th century. It's populartiy ensues because of its catchy melodies, sentimental harmonies and dance rythms. All these flavors of sounds are the signature of Guatemala's national musical intstrument, which drew its ryhthm from the African, Indian and Ladino (creole) roots of Central America's colonial past. I'll play a track that is a dance called "seis por ocho" from Antigua.
To cap off this mini-journey into some traditional Latin music, we'll hear a some Musica Ranchera, which is excellent, Mariachi music from Mexico. The band Mariachi Los Camperos de Nati Cano are a Grammy-winning band who breath life into some classic rancheras and boleros. We'll hear the song "Llorar, Llorar, Llorar," or Crying, Crying, Crying, that is will actually leave you more happy than sad.
If all that cool music wasn't enough, there'll be lots more tracks from all over the planet to fill your ears this week. For instance, we'll delve into another track from the desert blues band Tinariwen, who just won The Grammy Award for Best World Music Album. Added to that chunk of music, will be songs from Ali Farka Toure, Toumani Diabate, Issa Bagayogo and Fela Kuti--and that's just in the first hour!
In hour two, we'll hears some Big Noise Funky Tropicalismo music from a club in South London called "The Mambo Inn." You'll want to hear the song "Wack Wack," by The Young-Holt Trio as well as the song "Dub Lion," by DJ Food. And, I'll play a really interesting cover of the song "I Fought the Law," by Jamaica's The Jolly Boys, with Albert Minott. Another highlight--for me--will be getting to play more Tabla Beat music, which is based in the Indian drum known as the Tabla.
To finish off the show, we'll hear some groovy World Lounge music from the likes of Ursula 1000, Morcheba, and 2raumwohnung. And, for a special treat, we'll hear a song from the David Byrne/Brian Eno CD "My Life in the Bush of Ghosts," which was one of the first forays into mixing sampling with World Music beats.
And of course, all the above is just a smattering of what you'll hear on this week's World Music Show. As always, I'll throw in a few suprises of sounds for you to enjoy. I hope you can tune in or listen online. The World Music Show aires Saturday nights at 10:0 p.m. on 88.9FM or online at ideastations.org/radio. If you want to keep up-to-date with my musings, you can follow me on Twitter, at: @wcveworldmusic
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