Estamos Ensemble – “Jimpani Kustakwa Ka Jankwariteecheri” – [Edgetone Records]

Estamos Ensemble is led by Thollem McDonas and is made up of musicians from Mexico and the U.S. In Spanish “estamos” means ‘we are’ in the non-permanent sense and reflects the improvisation nature of these tracks, written by composers from both sides of the border.

Voices are often eerie, sometimes warbling without language, sometimes in Spanish, sometimes in English. Instrumentals can vary from crash bang cacophony to sprightly lyricism. Especially intriguing is the riff on 4’33″, underpinned by an idling Border Patrol vehicle. “Jimpani kustakwa ka jankwariteecher” means ‘compositions and improvisations’ in the P’urhpecha language which is spoken in rural areas of Michoacan, Mexico.