Inspired by traditional son jarocho music of Veracruz, Mexico, and spiked with urban rhythms, rock and R&B, East LA Chicano group Quetzal will release ‘Imaginaries’, its 5th album and 1st for Smithsonian Folkways, on Feb. 28, 2012. Quetzal, called “provocative, heartfelt and strikingly original” by the LA Times and founded by guitarist Quetzal Flores, rose from the ashes of uprisings in LA in 1992 as a vehicle for social commentary and activism.
‘Imaginaries’ begins with the dark but lively “2+0+1+2=Five,” about a barren landscape ruined by environmental abuse; set in 5/4 time, the composition is punctuated by lush strings, organs and eerie vocals. It sets the tone for a fiery, innovative, percussive and bilingual album that fuses many touchstones of the East LA plurality—including the title track, a taut mix of rock and R&B, and the Veracruz-informed “Tragafuegos.”
Listen to “Imaginaries”: http://snd.sc/vITVjX
Listen to “Tragafuegos” (Fire Breathers): http://snd.sc/sMDeUs
‘Imaginaries’ is the 35th release in the Smithsonian Folkways Tradiciones/Traditions series since 2002. The series, a co-production with the Smithsonian Latino Center, showcases the diverse musical heritage of the 50 million Latinos living in the USA.
Quetzal will be performing in LA on January 6 @ Fais Do Do. West Coast tour dates for spring will be announced soon.
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Quetzal/121358363248
http://shorefire.com/clients/folkways/
Track list:
1. 2+0+1+2=Cinco (2+0+1+2=Five)
2. Imaginaries
3. Estoy Aquí (I Am Here)
4. Time Will Tell
5. Luz Y Miel (Light and Honey)
6. Witness
7. Tragafuegos (Fire Breathers)
8. Duérmete (Go to Sleep)
9. Dreamers, Schemers
10. Intifada
11. Por Eso (That’s Why)
12. Todo Lo Que Tengo (All That I Have)
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