Altazor
Country of origin:
U.S., Chile, Cuba, Venezuela
Type of music generally:
Spanish language/Latin American traditional music, world music
Status:
Most recent release, Concurrencia (1993)
See also:
AllMusic's info on Altazor
Comparisons:
Unique (rmorrow@afit.af.mil)
Covers/own material:
Traditional and recent Latin American folk
General comments:
Superbly recorded, produced, and executed rendition of music in the style of Latin American folk. Lichi Fuentes has an absolutely wonderful voice that would be at home in any demanding role within or outside of the folk arena. Backup harmonies usually increase in complexity as each song progresses, and the blending is as good as anything this side of The Roches. The band members are masters of their instruments, and play with a precision that is rarely heard in today's recordings. (rmorrow@afit.af.mil)
Recommended first album:
Altazor seemed stronger to me than Concurrencia (Neile)
Recordings:
- Altazor (1989)
- Concurrencia (1993)
Altazor
Release info:
1989—Redwood Records—RRCD-8904
Availability:
Appears to be out of print
Ecto priority:
Must have (rmorrow@afit.af.mil)
Group members:
Dulce Arguelles (Cuba)—harmony vocals, guitar, tiple, tres, bharango
Lichi Fuentes (Chile)—lead vocals, guitar, tiple, cuatro, bombo, cajon, charango
Jackeline Rago (Venezuela)—lead vocals, harmony vocals, mandolin, cuatro, bandola, guitar, bongo, fulia drums, hand percussion, congas
Vanessa Whang (U.S.)—harmony vocals, piano, flute, quena, charango
Guest artists:
Diamora Diaz—fulia drums
Jesus Diaz—congas
Richard Saunders—acoustic bass
Produced by:
Vanessa Whang and Altazor
Comments:
The two instrumental pieces are mesmerizing in their beauty. The quality of recording and mixing is outstanding; each instrument is crystal clear and its location can be pinpointed precisely between the two speakers. A definite "must have." (rmorrow@afit.af.mil)I recommend the self-titled Altazor over Concurrencia, though both are quite alike. The voices are wonderful, and though the music in and of itself isn't my favourite style, I enjoy listening to this because of them and the excellent musicianship. (Neile)
Thanks to Jens P. Tagore Brage and Damon Harper for work on this entry.
