Nuevo Son Jarocho

Latin Beat Magazine, Nov, 1998 by Jesse Varela

CONJUNTO JARDIN

Nuevo Son Jarocho

(Trova)

The Afro-Mex legacy of Veracruz with its jarocho traditions is one of the last vestiges of black culture in Mexico. With its radiant string sounds of folkloric harp, requinto, and jarana, it's a style that's been splashed around the world through traditional regional pieces like La Bamba. Now this talented conjunto from Los Angeles has embraced these textures and adapted its essence for a stunning neo-traditionalist performance where harp parts are played on keyboard and African instruments are interwoven. Yet its not synthetically offensive and extremely soulful. At the heart of this project are Las Hermanas Harding - Cindy & Libby - who grew up hearing this music as part of the research of their musicologist father. Drawing from a rich repertoire - El Cascabel, El Siquisiri, El Tilingo Lingo, El Pajaro Carpintero - their renditions offer a vocally rich harmonic delivery with an infectious dance-happy energy. Keyboardist Gary Johnson--dedos del terror-- riffs harp-iike arpeggios that are hard to imagine someone playing as he articulates those twinkly chords. It's so hip. The improvisational nature of the music is also given space by Libby on jarana who has a trad-sense of melody and strong chops. The infusion of African traditional percussion like congas, djembe, and talking drums by percussionist Marcel Adjibi, as well as the timbal of Tiki Pasillas, reconnects branches of the same tree. Recorded by Ciro Hurtado, the date has a sterling sonic reflection and impeccable musicianship. A strong cross cultural offering, this album is a heartfelt tribute to a music scratching for existence, but with folklorists like these taking up its cause, it's a garden of musical paradise sin pesticidas. ¡Vámonos al jardin!