Search - Hijas Del Sol :: Kotto

"Kotto" is a pleasing blend of roots music from a country that until recently has been fairly reclusive. The outgoing voices of Hijas Del Sol are an engaging introduction to the music of Equatorial Guinea, a former Spanish colony in West Central Africa and a rich melting pot of cultural influences. Piruchi Apo and Paloma Loribo are the talented vocalists at the core of this recording, and several a cappella pieces featuring their close harmonies and percolating rhythmic vocal embellishments are interspersed amongst the tunes here. There are a variety of pan- African styles on this CD including reggae, zouk-makossa, and afro-pop, all well played on electric instruments with solid percussion underpinnings. A few songs feature acoustic instruments like accordion, clarinet, and violin and evoke bygone days and earlier styles of music. This is a satisfying CD by two women with a bright future. --Jeff Grubb