Psychedelic Peruvian Cumbia on Radio M
By Tony SarabiaPsychedelic Peruvian Cumbia on Radio M
By Tony SarabiaHow about shaking off that Thanksgiving meal with some dancing? This week on Radio M …From the Stage with psychedelic Peruvian cumbia. New York’s Chicha Libre brings Peruvian Chicha music into the 21st century.
Chicha is the name of a corn-based liquor favored by the Incas in pre-colombian days. And it’s also the name of Peru’s particular brand of cumbia made popular in the late 60’s by bands such as Manzanita and Juaneco y su Combo.
Chicha was loosely inspired by Colombian accordion-driven cumbias but incorporated the distinctive pentatonic scales of Andean melodies, some Cuban son, and the psychedelic sounds of surf guitars, farfisa organs and moog synthesizers. Radio M recorded a set by Chicha Libre at Martyr’s when they were here as part of World Music Chicago. DANCE!
Also, music from Brazil, Cameroon, and yodeling sisters from Minnesota.