EVA AYLLON---The first recording that I would like to mention is Leyenda Peruana by Eva Ayllon.  Señora Ayllon is new to my ears, but the music she performs, Afro-Peruvian came to my attention two years ago when I heard Susana Baca's 2002 releaase and also when a CD by Tania Libertad appeared in my mailbox some time after hearing Baca's recording.  Eva's repertoire is similar to Baca and Libertad's music, with similar instrumentation, similar styles of music (although Libertad focuses on boleros) and all three women sing with a lot of gusto.  Eva Ayllon explores various Afro-Peruvian styles that include, Landò, festejo, vals (waltzes that have been transformed by Andean and African rhythms and instrumentation), tondero, salsa and bolero.  Eva performs with a lot of confidence and possesses an out-in-front demeanor.  In other words, she takes to the stage and to this CD like a rocket takes to the vast sky.

Eva Ayllon is new to me, but for thirty years she has been delighting audiences in her homeland, Peru where she fills stadiums of 30,000.  She has also been noticed by non-Peruvian audiences in North America and Leyenda Peruana marks her North American debut recording.  Ayllon focuses on spirited genres of the coastal plains of Peru and of Lima in particular.  Her music is a mestizo blend of Spanish, indigenous and African musical heritages.  Guitar plays a key role in her music as does, the infamous Cajòn, (a wooden box played as a drum) and other percussion.  Similar to African music, she engages in call & reponse vocals that is emeshed in a delicious recipe of polyrhythms.  Some of the songs are sweet laments and others will set a dancer's feet a'blaze. 

African slaves were brought to Peru during the 1500's and today the Afro-Peruvian population is diverse.  Poet Ricardo Palma wrote, "If you are not Inca, you are Mandinga", implying that all Peruvians have indigenous or African blood or both, according to the press notes that were sent with the recording.  Peruvians take a special pride in their music and dance.  Eva takes a great deal of pride in the songs that appear on her recordings.  As a whole, I enjoy the set of songs that appear on Leyenda Peruana.  The opener, Negra Presuntuosa starts out with a light percussive groove married to classical guitar and Eva's suave vocals.  Negra Presuntuosa recalls Libertad's hearty repertoire. 

The festejo, Ingà in a word, rocks. The polyphonic rhythms are taken up a few notches as are the polyphonic vocals that Eva and her backup singers provide.  This is one of those tracks in which you will be tempted to crank the volume and absorb the rhythms.  The vals Para què slows things down a bit while still providing rhythmic grooves and lovely flute that wafts through the song.  It's also worth noting that Eva gives her all to both the slower and faster tempo songs. Raices del Festejo-Le Dije a Papà works up a sweat and the gypsy violin and guitar adds a the right touch.  This festejo would feel at home on Libertad's CDs.  La Herida Oscura echoes music from Venezuela, Cuando Llora mi Guitarra features lovely guitar work of Tito Manrique.  Then the songs, one spectacular one after the other, display their rich diversity until the recording concludes with the soulful bolero Que Somos Amantes.  This CD and Eva offer her listeners many rewards and this is one of those CDs that can be listened to multiple times and still feel like a new experience each time.  Time Square Records

 -- Patty-Lynne Herlevi