Cabra – Cabra, Vol.1 (Segell Microscopi, 2024)
After three immensely enjoyable years of careful crafting, without any rush, as is Cabra’s preference, they have announced the release of the first installment of Cabra on February 20. This project is inspired by the musical instruments and the diverse roots of the ensemble’s members.
Due to its size, Cabra have divided this work into two separate but entirely related albums, which will be released under the Microscopi label with a year’s gap. In other words, it is two parts, or volumes, of the same collection.
The first volume of the Cabra project explores the traditional music of various regions of mainland Spain. In this first volume, Cabra have adapted music from Castile, Valencia, Andalusia, Extremadura, Asturias, and the Basque Country, using exclusively acoustic instruments. Although the music is acoustic and deeply steeped in tradition, Cabra incorporates a delightful mix of musical instruments from Spain and beyond. As a result, Cabra, Vol.1 presents a set of exquisite, masterfully crafted, and riveting contemporary folk music pieces.
The second volume will explore other territories in Spain such as Murcia, Aragon, Galicia, the Canary Islands, the Balearic Islands, and Catalonia, as well as neighboring Portugal.
This project is a dream come true for multi-instrumentalist, composer and producer Efrén López. He brought together equal minds to formulate the project. Rather than bringing in guests, the four musicians maximized their capabilities as instrumentalists, “playing with what we have.”
Musicians: Efrén López: lute, bandurria, archilaúd, cistro, Irish bouzouki, oğur saz, guitar, cavaquinho, guitarro, timple, Puerto Rican cuatro, mandolin, Cretan lute, hurdy-gurdy, vielle, sinfonia, gothic harp, cello, basslaute, tambourine, pandeiro, Calanda bass drum, Peñaparda frame drum (square drum), Rociero drum, tamboril, Majorcan drum, whistles, cauldron, Ibiza castanets, jawbone, brushes, picacanyes, bendir, adufe, zambomba, irons, tin, frying pan, triangle, sieve, charrasco, washboard, shearing scissors, anise bottle, clapping, horn, conch shell, choruses.
Isabel Martín: lead and backing vocals, tambourine, mortar, pandeiro, castanets, clapping.
Juanfran Ballestero: Galician bagpipes in G, D, and low C, polyphonic bagpipe, alboka, Castilian shawm, wooden transverse flute, renaissance flute, whistle, chirula, three-hole flute, capador whistle, morchang.
Carlos Ramírez: Cretan lyra, soprano Cretan lyra, rebec, viola da gamba, yaylı tanbur.
Photography and design: Laura Avinent.
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.