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CD Review
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Jazziz, CD Review >>
Accordionist Horacio "Chango" Spasiuk, 36, is a member of a young generation of musicians in Argentina taking a second look at indigenous styles. He was borninMistones, a province in the Northeast corner of Argentina and historically a melting pot for waves of European immigration, native Mbya-Guarani Indians, former African slaves, and Creoles. Chamame, the music of the region, has been shaped by such blend but also, according to certain anthropologists, by local adaptations of Spanish music that can be traced as far as Peru.
It's by and large a high-energy, bright, bouncy music (mostly in 6/8 meter), played, basically, with accordions and guitars. (The slower pieces have a luminous melancholy.) Danceable, chamame can both carry lyrics and be instrumental. Not unlike the blues in the United States until its "discovery" in the 19603, chamame was until recently considered worthless, low-class, and "un cultured" music. Spasiuk his nickname "Chango" is slang that translates as "kid" looks like a rocker and has brought chamame into the hipper-than-thou rock and jazz circles in Buenos Aires. But he has traditionalist's heart. Tarefero de Mis Pagos includes originals by Spasiuk but also pieces by stalwarts of the genre such as Transito Cocomarola and Bias Martinez Riera.
A virtuoso player, Spasiuk stretches the vocabulary of the genre (check "Busqueda" or "Mi Pueblo, Mi Casa, La Soledad") coming close to avant-pop yet always staying true to the feel and the spirit of chamame. A ter rific introduction to a music, and an artist, that deserve a closer listening.
-Fernando Gonzalez 05/01/05
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