naturalismo

There’s lots of press going around about this El Guincho sounding something like Panda Bear, similar but different they say. Lazy lazy journalists, get out and listen to something before 2007. As if Noah Lennox was the first to mix traditional tropical rhythms with samples and modern melodies. Not to discredit the amazing side project of his, I think it’s some of the most refreshing and original music I’ve heard in ages, but I can’t help but try and point out what I think is a much greater source of inspiration for El Guincho. Bellied deep inside the soul ofthe Peruvian psych movement of the late 60’s and early 70’s lies much of the heart and soul that I feel sets El Guincho apart. Spreading marmalade psychedelic guitar across gritty toasted Peruvian beats, the Roots of Chicha compilation gives a glimpse at what was for decades undiscovered to much of the west. Only recently was this compilation to hit the streets to give us the first taste of the Chicha, named after a corn-based liquor favored by the Incas which quickly spread to Lima and wholly captures feeling of the clash of Peruvian convention with western surf guitar, Cuban guajiras and psych. There’s something to be said about uncovering each wave of the psychedelic movement in the world, the fluidity and rapture released within each province, state our countries never providing a similar journey. Enough! Just listen:

From the Roots of Chicha compilation available here:

(password for these is: naturalismo3

Los Mirlos - El Milagro Verde

Juaneco Y Su Combo - Ya Se Ha Muerto mi Abuelo

Los Mirlos - Sonido Amazonico

and

El Guincho - Kalise

I honestly can’t imagine a summer mix tape without a few of these tracks on it.

Searching around for the Kalise single brought me to the recent Fader mix El Guincho put together for Fader, which includes the life changing band Los Zafiros that was featured on the Yo Si Oigo | Devendra Banhart’s Influence comp Naturalismo put out last year and available for free here.

El Guincho - Fader Mix

Yo Si Oigo | Devendra Banhart’s Influence comp