Like Latin jazz? try some traditional Afro-Peruvian music

We´re producing a CD of the musical track from A Zest for Life, and it´s looking - and sounding - good.  It´s scheduled to arrive in the mail tomorrow, and I´m seriously excited.  It´s called (drum roll here) A Zest for Life:  Musical  Track.

There are 8 tracks on the CD, six of which are good, solid, Afro-Peruvian music including the very popular Zamacueca, along with Torito Pinto, Toro Mata, and others.  The two two tracks that AREN´T strictly Afro-Peruvian music are, respectively, a northern version of Peru's national dance la Marinera, sung by popular singer-songwriter Jorge Luis Jasso, plus a cajón demonstration by Lalo Izquierdo.

Yes, I said la Marinera was Peru´s national DANCE.  Since this is a CD, obviously what we have is the music to which it´s danced.  Jorge Luis Jasso is great singing this:  it´s one of his favorites.  He also sings other versions of la Marinera, and here is one of them-a slow one he sang for a Peruvian television presentation.



On our own CD, in addition to la Marinera, Jorge Luis Jasso also sings a song that he wrote, himself.  It´s called Ritmo Negro del Perú -- meaning Peru´s Black Rhythms -- which pays homage to the contribution that Afro-Peruvians have made in the area of music and dance.

Then, there´s Lalo Izquierdo´s the cajón demonstration.  He plays five or six different rhythms, including one from the United States (that´s US!), the Afro-Peruvian rhythm, and Brazilian rhythm.  It makes for good listening because you can tell the difference between the rhythms, and makes you realize how complicated and distinct different rhythms can be.

The music on the CD is very lively and upbeat.  This is the music that, along with New York jazz, produced that new art form, Afro-Peruvian jazz.  It resonates very well in today´s world, and it makes great listening plus you can, oh yes, DANCE to it.  We think you´ll like it.