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| ‘La India Canela: Merengue Típico From The Dominican Republic’ On March 25, 2008, Smithsonian Folkways will release 'La India Canela: Merengue Típico from the Dominican Republic, ' an unparalleled collection celebrating the traditional style of merengue music integral to Dominican culture and people. Featuring performances by premiere accordionist La India Canela supported by an outstanding set of accomplished musicians, the album showcases the exciting style and history of merengue típico through the stunning technique and power of the genre's most talented artists. Accompanied by liner notes and a historical introduction to merengue típico written by Sydney Hutchison, the 13-track album provides a guide to this unique musical tradition. Típico is one of the oldest styles of merengue still performed, dating back as far as the 1850s, and its name refers to its connection to a specific place – the rural, mountainous Cibao region that surrounds the city of Santiago. Comprised of a European accordion, African-derived tambora drum and a Native-origin percussive metal rasp called a güira, the traditional típico instrumentation represents the three cultural influences that shaped Dominican history, making the music a powerful symbol of national identity often used by composers protesting the US occupation (1916-1924). Today, típico instrumentation has evolved and adapted to reflect the changing urban landscape of the Dominican Republic and its people; típico bands now can include saxophones, electric bass and conga drums. Güira players might use a foot petal to simultaneously play the bass drum, and tambora players often incorporate timbales drums in their performances as well. Celebrated accordionist Lidia María Hernández López, known internationally as "La India Canela, " brings her charismatic style to each track on 'Merengue Típico from the Dominican Republic.' From her own songs, such as the popular "Apriétame Así (Squeeze Me Like That)" and "El Rancho (The Ranch)" to new arrangements of beloved típico songs like "El Papujito (The Bearded Rooster)" and "Cańa Brava (Fresh Sugarcane), " La India Canela infuses each track with passion and expertise. The winner of two Casandras, the Dominican Republic's highest prize in the arts, La India Canela not only represents the high caliber of típico musicians but also the prominent position women now hold in the genre. Since the 1960s, when Dominican women began entering the workforce, female accordionists have become common fixtures in típico bands, often leading otherwise all-male ensembles. write your comments about the article :: © 2008 Jazz News :: home page |