Quetzal – Worksongs (Vanguard 79738-2, 2003)
Mestizaje (or mestizo) is a Spanish word used more and more to describe musical hybrids in Spanish speaking countries. The Hispanic melting pot in southern California has been producing some really interesting musical combinations for many years. East Los Angeles band Quetzal appeared in the late 1990s with as combination and Spanish and English lyrics, mixing American sounds with Mexican and other Latin American influences.
Quetzal’s latest CD, Worksongs, continues the hybridization process by providing American rock, folk and blues melded with Mexican son jarocho, Afro-Cuban sounds, and much more. As the title suggests, the lyrics talk about the hard working people who helped build California.
The album was produced Produced by longtime Los Lobos saxophonist Steve Berlin. He saw the working relationship a perfect fit. “It’s profound, there’s not enough articulation about what’s going on in East LA [Los Angeles],” he says. “Worksongs is not just a record; they are the voice of the culture. We’ve [Los Lobos] carried the torch long enough, and I think Quetzal is the next
to step up and speak for the community.”
Buy Worksongs.
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.
