…—… SOS (Fol 10002048, 2010)
SOS is the fourth album by Spanish multi-instrumentalist and composer Mercedes Peón. The cover of the album shows …—…, the Morse code for SOS. This is the international distress signal. The Morse code is used by people at sea. Galicia, Mercedes Peón’s homeland, is a seafaring region of Spain with a large number of sailors, shore fishermen and deep-water fishing fleets. To Mercedes Peón, SOS means music exploration and a desire to share.
SOS introduces various musical influences, ranging from wild Galician folk to Afro-Cuban, Balkan sounds, funk, jazz, rock, global electronica, experimental excursions and other elements. Some of her pieces are like musical collages, recombining music from various sources with surprising twists. Mercedes Peón is at ease using electronic and acoustic instruments simultaneously. In addition to a surprising wide range of vocals, Mercedes Peón plays keyboards, bass, samplers, guitar, clarinets, electronic bagpipe, Moroccan reeds, Galician and Berber frame drums, drum kit, various types of percussion (including a paprika can), water and field recordings.
On SOS, Mercedes Peón is joined by Nacho Muñoz on keyboards and samplers; Fernando Abreu on clarinets; Manuel Cebrian on guitar; Manuel Alonso on electric bass; and Fernando Martinez on accordion.
The CD version comes in a beautifully packaged limited edition aluminum box.
With SOS, Mercedes Peón demonstrates that she is one of the leading exponents of the avant-garde wing of world music.
Buy the album or MP3 downloads:
- In North America: SOS. Other recordings available: Sihá, Isué, Arjú
- In Europe: SOS. Other recordings available: Sihá, Isué, Arjú
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.
