Customer Reviews

Del Fuego Y Del Agua

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Buy this mysterious and beautiful CD before it goes out of print! This is one of the best recordings of semi-updated authentic Peruvian music I've ever heard. In fact, it's one of the best South American "World Music" recordings in my entire collection of 1000s of discs, along with the already unavailable Inti-Illimani two-fer CD of "Hacia La Libertad" and "La Nueva Cancion Chilena." There's very little primitive 'roots music' here, most of it is a strongly beat-driven authentic fusion of the old and the new with both modern and traditional instruments used. Susana Baca herself certainly needs no introduction anymore, as her more recent recordings since her American debut on Luaka bop (David Byrne's label) have proven that she's one of the most soulful and versatile singers in the world. Definitely a record worth seeking out.

When you're introduced to an artist through her later work, it's always interesting to go back and listen to their earlier works and hear the progression. I first heard Susana Baca's self-titled album (her third release), then found Vestida de la vida, then Eco de sombras came out, and now, finally, I've been able to track down Del Fuego y del agua. An earlier version of "Zamba landó" than the one on her self-titled album appears here. I like both versions. This album was obviously a labor of love, part of her work with the Instituto Negroperuviano she and her husband founded. The cd booklet includes a brief article on Susana, a 10-page article, "Black Contribution to the Formation of Peruvian Popular Music," and notes on each song (all this in French and English). Susana's voice is gorgeous here, as on her later albums--sensual, rich, emotional. It's more of a collaborative effort than a showcase for Susana. The choruses are wonderful and used extensively, and this gives a sense of the communal aspect of the music. It also makes Susana's solo voice that much more striking when you hear it. If you're a fan of Susana's, you'll want to track this down and make it part of your collection.

01. Copla de la O (copla) Copla de la O (couplet)
02. Tonada del Congo (festejo rural) Tonada of the Congo (feast rural)
03. Hatajo de negritos (navidades) Hatajo of negritos (Christmas)
04. La veguera (marinera norteña) The vegueres (northern seaside)
05. Afinación del triste (yaraví) Tuning sad (yaraví)
06. El guayacan (tondero) The guayacan (tondero)
07. Copla de la luna (cuarteta) Copla of the moon (quatrain)
08. Zaña (lundero) Zaña (lundero)
09. Zamba landó (landó) Zamba Land (Land)
10. Negros del Combo (golpe e'tierra) Black's Combo (e'tierra coup)
11. Revolución caliente (pregón) Revolution hot (proclamation)
12. Aparición (vals) Appearance (waltz)
13. Fuego y agua (zamacueca) Fire and water (zamacueca)
14. Copla de la muerte cuartilla Copla of death cuartilla
15. Toro mata (toro mata) Kills Toro (bull kills)
16. Avelino Ciudad (festejo urbano) Avelino City (feast urban)

I first heard Susana Baca on, WBAI 99.5FM, a non-profit radio station in New York City. The song being played was a Tite Curet Alonso composition, Las Caras Lindas, that was made popular in Puerto Rico by the late Ismael Rivera. Susana's version was completey different. Ismael's version was arranged with an eye towards salsa radio play while Susana's recording is more folkloric and employs heavy use of the drum and cajon. I must confess that I had never heard Afro-Peruvian music before and was immediately in love with it. I went out and bought every Afro-Peruvian recording I could get my hands on, which sad to say there is not much of ( at least where I live).

This album a musical treasure, an obvious labor of love, is part of her work with the Instituto Negro-Peruviano. The 130 page book included with the cd is part of this small musical treasure which unveils the history of Blacks in the New World (predominately Peru), the traditions they brought with them, the music, the dance, and their souls. The trajectory covers from their arrival as slaves through their struggle to freedom. The book includes dozens of photographs, drawings, transcripts, musical charts, lyrics to songs, poems, and more information. that includes a brief article on Susana, a 10-page article, "Black Contribution to the Formation of Peruvian Popular Music," and notes on each song (all this in French and English). The 16 compositions stretch from various Afro-Peruvian styles and rhythms as well as instrumentation and modalities. Susana's voice is gorgeous here, as on her other albums--sensual, rich, emotional and very beautiful.

This is one of the best recordings of Afro-Peruvian music I've ever heard. Definitely a record worth seeking out.