Los Gaiteros De San Jacinto From Columbia – “Un Fuego De Sangre Pura ” – [Smithsonian/Folkways]

Not to be confused with Los Gaiteros de San Jacinto from
East Jersey; nope this is pure Colubmian gold…and fire!
They’ve been going since the 1930′s and some of these folks
may have heard the originals… While the focal point is
on these great gaspy flutes, los gaitas, the impassioned
singing is what completely fascinates me. Check out the
acapella power of “Canto de Zafra” if that’s the Zafra for
work, I’m not sure I could handle the one for a burial.
The windy, raspy nature of the flutes can almost feel more
like a noise sound-sculptor than an Andean afterdinner
concert. The more the flutes they add, the better they are
at getting a whirlwind, dervish to surround your ears. Check
“Sigan Bailando.” This all sounds great LOUD! You could link
these pipes to the fife fury of Othar Turner and friends.
Similarly, it’s just got drums to keep the flutes and voices
in line. Regal, but never ever polished. The king lives
outside the kingdom, conducting wild dances in the forests!
*That* kind of music, if you want more honorable comments,
check out the always outstanding Folkways liner notes and
great photos too. The gust in “me gusto”.
-El Hambre del Hambre