Palabras Urg’entes
Real World, 2021
8/10
Now in her 50th year of making music, the esteemed vocalist Susana Baca shows no signs of slowing down, as the Peru native delivers a protest album of sorts, where sharp lyrics and gorgeous music meet at a relevant place in today’s often turbulent times.
“Le Herida Oscura” starts the listen with warm guitar, stirring strings and subtle drumming as Baca’s soulful pipes guide the cultured opener, and “Negra del Alma” follows with bright horns and well timed vibraphone complementing the festive climate.
Deeper into the listen, “Milonga de mis Amores” flows with much melody amid the folk influenced songwriting, while “Cambalache” recruits charming piano and strategic percussion as Baca’s expressive voice mesmerizes us. “Sorongo”, the best tune present, then utilizes plenty of backing vocals for the lively rocker that’s full of timeless South American traditions.
Landing near the end, “Dammerung” is initially just Baca’s stripped back voice before gentle keys enter the dreamy landscape, and “Vestida de Vida” finishes the listen with group vocals and spoken word meshing in the powerful, impactful exit.
Baca takes much help from Michael League, of Snarky Puppy, and his contributions, as well as Jeff Coffin on saxophone, certainly help make Palabras Urg’entes another glowing chapter in Baca’s body of work, where a profound intimacy and folk, jazz and pop enter her absorbing formula.
Travels well with: Dom La Nena- Tempo; Tanika Charles- The Gumption