Ayatana
Ayatana (Ventilador
Music CDA 035, 2003)
The Ventilador label has become Barcelona’s essential label for new world
music talent. Ayatana is an unusual group that falls into the growingly popular
“mestizo” (hybrid) category. It’s unusual because the veteran musicians combine
flamenco, world percussion and jazz using instruments that most flamenco and
mestizo artists rarely use. The most intriguing is the use of the marimba, an
instrument rarely (if ever) used in Flamenco. The foundation of Ayatana is percussion (palmas, cajón, shakers, frame drums,
etc.), and marimba combined with the harmonies and melodies of the archilaúd, an
instrument derived from the lute that has a much longer neck and resonance box.
There are also Flamenco and Gypsy rumba vocals throughout the album by singer
and dancer Vicky Romero.
Author: Angel Romero
Angel Romero y Ruiz has dedicated his life to musical exploration. His efforts included the creation of two online portals, worldmusiccentral.org and musicasdelmundo.com. In addition, Angel is the co-founder of the Transglobal World Music Chart, a panel of world music DJs and writers that celebrates global sounds. Furthermore, he delved into the record business, producing world music studio albums and compilations. His works have appeared on Alula Records, Ellipsis Arts, Indígena Records and Music of the World.
