Search - Takillacta :: Andean Songs

Smooth, jazzy Andean fusion music

Brianna Neal | USA | 12/31/2003

(4 out of 5 stars)

"In the Quecha language, Takillacta means "Song of the People". Here, traditional South American instruments like sikus (panpipes), quena (single bamboo flute), charango (small guitar), and bombo (goatskin drum), as well as occasional vocalists, offer traditional and modern melodies that are accompanied by piano, guitar, bass and drum to create a jazzy Andean version of worldbeat music. Most of the selections have a gentle quality to them, even those marked by percussion and handclapping, due to the sweetness of the melodies and smoothing influence of the accompaniments. This isn't a combination that I would have expected to work, but it really does, especially in some of the slower numbers! The juxtaposition and overlays of traditional and modern are intriguing rather than jarring and fit together well. Nicely done! Particularly winning selections include #9, "Camino de Llamas", a wistful, heartfelt quena song that really sticks in the memory, and #8, "Guambrita Dulce", a cool blending of soft jazz piano with the bombo drum. For a somewhat more traditional interpretation of Andean music, try the many releases of the group Sukay."