Granted there are a few out there who don't like the authenticity to Guincho tracks. Spain has produced what I've been searching for...which may come under attack as not being latino music. But what is latino music, other than a localized dialect of the african rhythms brought over to the western hemisphere through slave-trade?
Ejemplo: Prende La Vela (de Colombia)
So what, if it's produced in Spain?!
What I really like about Guincho's work is that it transcends the staid (IMHO) confines of latino big-band dance music (salsa, merengue, cumbia, bachata) and latin pop (Enrique Iglesias, Carlos Vives, Shakira etc...). It's rooty music, but it's not trying to be a journey of academic ethno-musicology or a cheesy house remix that punches some latino rhytm loops.
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| Album cover for "Pop Negro" |
Though it does suffer superficial comparisons to Animal Collective and Os Mutantes (which I don't get at all...i think it's just cause it's latino sounding and has some psych-synthpad elements) on the blogosphere, it's not freak-out meets tropicalia. This is El Guincho! And he's come with open arms with this new release for all people of all kinds to enjoy...and dance to!
El Guincho's "Bombay" from "Pop Negro"
Granted, I do have a dearth of spanish-language music (I think I have more brazillian tropicalia in my collection than I have tracks of latino performers). I am happy to snap up all I can from this guy. His "Pirata de Sudamerica, vol. 1" EP is also great, as it showcases "traditional" songs from latin america. It's a bit more laid back, but amazing to have it followed up so quickly by "Pop Negro". I'm excited for more artists to come forward, and embrace new technology and sound-generation, melding them with traditional latino cultural music. I feel more comfortable with this music, than dealing with the full-frontal assault of some salsa, like that of Celia Cruz.
El Guincho's "Frutas de Caney" from "Piratas de Sudamerica, vol. 1"
But to be frank...I must admit this entry is a bit personal. I confess, that I've always felt a little "on-the-outside" when it came to my own latino roots. El Guincho's work gives me inspiration; as well as a relaxed, unpretentious setting with which to enjoy the music, and not get caught up in my own self-image and identity issues. I've always felt really self-conscious and judged when trying to dance to salsa, merengue or cumbia with others. El Guincho just seems to tell me "Escucha la musica!" and forget how people will judge me.
Don't get me wrong, I love latino music (in spite of my staid comment). Especially the Andean folk:
Juan Manuel "Vasija de Barro"
i dont get the claims of it being unauthentic. He's from the Canary Islands and grew up listening to albums from the Fania Records label. Who cares if hes not from Americas or caribe.
ReplyDeleteI agree with your statement.
ReplyDeleteHowever, I'm not claiming Guincho's inauthenticity. This post was really a praise of his authenticity. He's got a beautiful and genuine sound that cuts across all of the judgments posed by haters. I was trying to convey that by playing devil's advocate around the issue of his origin and up-bringing.
Admittedly I'm not the clearest blog writer, and as a consequence my intent could be miscommunicated. Mainly I want to open this blog up to discussing music. I love it...as I also enjoy debate, but I don't want it devolve either into privileged positions.
The gestalt of the post was one of finding a connection with my latino identity through rooty modern music, instead of the staid sound of top40 salsa, merengue and reggaeton to which I felt little towards.