Customer Reviews

Nuevo Son Jarocho

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

one of my absolute favorite recordings! incredible textures, layers and colors. for that alone, it is worth getting whether or not you are a purist, whether or not you even favor the music from that part of the world. positively infectious.

Being a traditional Veracruz harpist myself, I was a little surprised (not to mention disappointed) when I found the album and read that the harp parts were played on a keyboard. But I had heard of the Harding sisters, and I know their father is a great harpist, so I plunged in. What a fantastic album. I know that there are purists that think the only harp is one with strings, but Gary's performance is astounding. I also play keyboards, and playing my harp 'pasos' on the keyboard is extremely difficult. Gary's agility with the pasos is very authentic too. Even if you are a jarocho purist, you will be surprised by the authenticity of this album, as well as pleased with the experimentational quality on such songs as La Bamba, where African elements are introduced. The Harding sisters' vocals are exciting and pure. The percussion and bass lines are well performed too. I submit that although this may not be jarocho in its most basic traditional form, it is nonetheless an evolution of the 'son jarocho' that delights and thrills its audiences every bit as much.

Nice try, but the keyboard hardly provides a similar harp sound.
The group would be better served either with a real harp or without it at all. The voices are nice and the selection of tunes is ok. A matter of taste, but if you want to hear the real thing to compare, try the group Chuchumbe.

Another of the great sounds of Conjunto Jardin. A must for every Latin enthusiast. Excellent compositions.

If you live in California long enough, especially Southern California, you'll come to know Mexican music: you hear it all around you; it's everywhere. This land used to be part of Mexico and some days it seems like it's being re-absorbed.
 Although the members of Conjunto Jardin are all veterans of other Latin bands, their backgrounds are not strictly Mexican: Marcel Adjibi is actually from Benin, West Africa; but his African swing and drive is an important part of Conjunto Jardin's sound.
 The group specializes in the music of Veracruz, Mexico: an area unlike most of Mexico which had a large black African slave population that strongly affected the local music, known as son jarocho.
 The famous driving Mexican tune is from Veracruz, written by a black ex-slave sometime in the 19th century.

The musicians of Conjunto Jardin are superb. They play the traditional instruments of Veracurz Mexico, the requinto and the jarana. However, what makes this album so exciting is the stunning vocals by sisters Cindy and Libby Harding. This is a fresh take on Mexican traditional music, done in a non-traditional way, but with respect and impecable taste. This recording is a rare find!

This is a wonderful record of Mexican jarocho style music from Vera Cruz. They use traditional instruments as well as electronic keyboards and African drums. The result is an infectious modern interpretation that is faithful to the spirit of the music instead of being a slavish copy. Conjunto Jardin stresses the Afro-Caribbean roots of the music and even include a lovely song of African origin.

This is great music, the sound is old and new at the same time. It is a shame that they have not put more music out since this CD, it is music that is fun and makes you happy while not sounding common or cheesy. Five Stars!