"Andean Music by its very nature and because of the many cultures that call it is own; it is rendered in a large number of styles some of which have a very narrow appeal. Urubamba's arrangements and use of native instruments are very refined and intended to reach an audience that is not necessarily familiar with Andean music. My family owned the vinyl record of Urubamba in the 1970's and it was through them that I became familiar with this type of music. Over the past decades I came to own a large number of recordings of Andean music by many different groups from many countries and I still consider Urubamba's some of the best.
If you are not familiar with Andean music and you are looking for a first sample, you will find in Urubamba's recording a beautiful music that sounds almost like the wind on the mountains performed with impeccable technique.
If you are already familiar with Andean music, do not miss this record, it marks a milestone in the history of this gender."
It's all good.
Mary Carlson | Northern California | 07/04/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Bright and gemlike, this album has no soft spot. Remember back in the old days when you could listen to an album without skipping tracks?
Urubamba is the group responsible for the instrumentation on Simon and Garfunkel's 'El Condor Pasa'. The musicianship, melodies, and mood make other groups of the genre seem unbalanced: this is the real deal.
Our family had the LP of this album, and we've been missing it for years. Odds are good you'll enjoy it too."
Finally!
Terry Dolorosa | Concord, CA USA | 09/22/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Finally available in CD! Finally we can put the digitized MP3 (complete with the pops and scratches) of our LP to rest.
Hauntingly beautiful, evocative, ineffable."
Incredible
Ann | Texas | 12/26/2008
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I purchased this in vinyl in 1974. I heard one of the tracks on public radio, and immediately went to the record store to purchase the album - good thing too, because it disappeared from the stores almost instantly. I still have the record, since transferred to tape, and then to mp3. I have enjoyed it for 34 years, and it is absolutely timeless. That record is one of my personal treasures.
As I recall, these were the musicians who played backup for Paul Simon during his "Celia" phase. In their own right, they were incredible. They played all traditional Inca instruments, including a guitar-like instrument made from an armadillo. You don't even have to be a fan of Inca music because the sounds on this album are universally joyful and appealing. However, they will be especially captivating to anyone who likes unusual native music, such as Deep Forest.
I have purchased or listened to other Inca music since (because of) them, but was totally spoiled by Urubamba, so nobody has ever measured up. I would be amazed if anyone ever did. These musicians were the epitome of brilliance - every song on the album is pure gold."