Named after a strong, corn-based liquor produced since the time of the Incas, Chicha is a musical genre that has its origins in the late ’60s.  At this time Peruvian musicians blended the sound of the traditional Colombian cumbias with the pentatonic scales of Andean music, and further added psychedelic musical elements like wah-wah pedals and surf-rock-inspired guitars.

This disc contains material never before released outside Peru and showcases the genre through a selection of songs from many local artists. Among the highlights are “Ya Se Ha Muerto Mi Abuelo” (My Grandfather Is Dead) a cheerful tune by Juaneco Y Su Combo that narrates the circumstances of the death of the singer’s grandfather who passed on after overindulging in food and drink. On that track, it is apparent how rock influenced the more traditional sound as a loud moog supplies the base of the tune and a manic guitar plays over the top. Another interesting song is Beethoven’s “Pour Elise,” which is reinterpreted by Los Destellos with an upbeat arrangement that comes close to the incredible tempo of a Brazilian chorinho.
Also check out Los Destrellos’ “A Patricia” (To Patricia), an instrumental tune that is mostly a traditional sounding cumbia except for the addition of the un-credited guitar player, who uses every resource in his effects arsenal (distortion, tremolo, etc.) to enhance his impressive lead parts.

The sound qualities of the recordings are not exactly the highest, as they were probably made in rudimentary conditions over 30 years ago; in Los Mirtos’ “Muchachita del Oriente” (Girl from the Orient) the bass is so distorted that it seems like it was played with a fuzz box (an early form of distortion commonly used by Jimi Hendrix), and the sound is often a little muddy in other moments. However, that particular technical detail does not mar the experience as a whole as after a few tunes the listener’s ear becomes accustomed to it.
The Roots of Chicha is recommended listening to anyone with an interest in Latin American fusion—it is a bona-fide journey in musical discovery.

-by Ernest Barteldes