Herencia de Timbiquí
Herencia de Timbiquí (2015)
Herencia de Timbiquí celebrates the Afro-rooted traditions of the Pacific coast of Colombia, specifically the Timbiqui region in Cauca province. The group originally performed traditional music using locally-made instruments such as the marimba de chonta (made from chonta, peach palm wood); several drums such as the bombo golpeador, bombo arullador, cununo macho, cununo hembra; and the guasa shaker.
The band later incorporated instruments used in rock and salsa such as electric bass, keyboards, trumpet, saxophone, electric guitar and drum set. The final result is a fabulous mix of Pacific Afro-Colombian music, salsa, rock, African influences, funk and pop.
The recording we received is a sampler with some of their best material. The mesmerizing sound of the marimba appears throughout the musical pieces, with moments where the band drifts into deep tradition while other times Herencia de Timbiquí displays the irresistible sound of a modern Colombian tropical dance orchestra with salsa brass riffs and rock guitar. Some of the traditional genres incorporated by Herencia de Timbiquí include the well-known currulao as well as the lesser known bunde, juga, arrullos, abozaos, bereju, bambazu and porro
Herencia de Timbiquí released its first recording in 2006, titled “De Mangle a Mango y siguiendo el camino.” That same year, the group won the Petronio Álvarez Pacific music award. The second album titled “Villancicos Negros” (Black lullabies) came out in 2007.
In 2010 Herencia de Timbiquí got international exposure by making its debut at the Montreux Jazz Festival, presenting the sounds of the marimba de chonta to European audiences.
“Tambó”, the third album, was released in 2011. After three indie albums, Herencia de Timbiquí released “This is Gozar!” on Bombo Records. The album features British producer William Holland (aka Quantic) as well as other national and international guests.
The lineup includes musical director Harlinson Lozano on tenor sax; Andres Felipe Pinzon on electric guitar; Begner Vasquez on vocals; Carlos Henrique Riascos on marimba de chonta; Christian Salgado on keyboard; Etiel Loango on bombo; Julio Mancilla on drums & percussion; Julio Sanchez on electric bass; Omar Trujillo on trumpet; Pablo Mancilla on congas and cununo drums; and William Angulo on vocals.
Some of Herencia de Timbiquí’s albums are available for digital download on iTunes. The CDs are hard to get outside of Colombia.
Herencia de Timbiquí is one of the most exciting tropical music acts out of Colombia in recent years.
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.
