Eva Leyenda Peruana
Susana Baca is usually the first Peruvian singer that comes to mind for many North Americans, but Baca's popularity in her homeland is actually surpassed by singer Eva Ayllon. Performing since the late 1970s, Ayllon fills 30,000 seat arenas and records platinum-selling records at home. The singer has toured the U.S., but never with the calling card of a domestic album. Now Ayllon hasEva! Leyenda Peruanato rectify the matter. Whereas Baca's voice is delicate and lilting with wisps of jazz, Ayllon is fiery and earthy as she sings in Spanish. Her music is mostly made up of traditional lando, festejo, and vals that come out of the Afro-Peruvian tradition, punctuated by the music's signatory box-shaped cajon drum as well as congas, acoustic guitar and piano. Highlights include the easy swinging vals "Para Que," the playful festejo "Jolgrio de Eva" and the Spanish-flavored tondero "La Herida Oscura." This is a true find amidst the South American music diaspora. --Tad Hendrickson