About this Artist

• Biography

Editorial Reviews

Founded in 1967, Inti-Illimani is Latin America's longest-running and most prodigious folk band ever. With a name that means "Sun Mountain" in Bolivia's Ayamara dialect, no other group has done more to expose the world to the indigenous music of the region, and more specifically the Andes mountains. Although much of this seminal Chilean outfit's classic catalogue from the 1970s has faded from the public domain, the more recent Lejanía makes a strong reconnection with the haunting power of their work from that era. Long identified with the leftist Nueva Canción, or New Song movement, Inti's keen political edge is noticeably absent here, however, with the focus decidedly more on the music than any overt message. The instrumentation is solidly traditional folkloric, with only the occasional addition of clarinet or saxophone. Mountain harp, dulcimers, guitar, the mandolin-like charango, and a host of local flutes form the bedrock of their sound. Originally from Peru, "Takuma" is one of the numerous traditional South American folk instrumentals here, with a light yet tremendously evocative melody. The Ecuadorian air "Wititis" counts on Mexican guitarón and other strings for a sturdy, stately sound. "Yendo y Viniendo" (Coming and Going) is one of the only pieces with lyrics, full of bucolic images of walking new paths amidst nature's cycles. Inti-founder Horacio Durán performs his bittersweet solo composition "Tonada Triste" ("Sad Tune") on the redolent ronroco. But it's the blissful zephyr of zampoña flutes on pieces like "Yamor" that sends Lejanía into the realms of the sublime. Abraham Velez, Barnes & Noble

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