Spring is in the the air and guess what? We've got a fresh bouquet of Flor de Toloache songs for you!
The amazing all-woman Flor de Toloache and your humble servants at Peace & Rhythm have teamed up again, this time to reissue—for the first time ever on vinyl—the band’s auspicious debut recording, the 2015 Latin Grammy Nominated album Mariachi Flor De Toloache. In 2016 our label released a 45 of two dance floor tracks from the album ("Dicen" / "When We Love") just in time for us to present them, along with Deans Beans Fair Trade Coffee, on the stage at Green River Festival that same year. But making a 45 was never enough for us; it was always a dream of ours to get the whole first album out on glorious vinyl and we are really excited that that has now become a reality! Why? Because we love this band and we love this album and the cover artwork too, so the idea of making a12 and a quarter inch cover with a beautifully pressed record inside - and collaborating with our buddies to make this happen - made us as happy as a flower in the sunshine! Now it's May and we're ready for your orders.
But first a little about the release:
The record showcases deep and melodic mastery of instruments and vocals as well as a generational understanding of traditional Mariachi, successfully passed down from vocalist/violinist Mireya Ramos’s Mariachi musician father Armando and an extensive river of influences from her music loving mother Carmen. This is all interwoven with the modern R&B/soul influences of Shae Fiol (vocals, vihuela, guitar), whose songwriting shines as she translates her tracks into the rustic and folky ambiance of Mariachi. Beautiful original arrangements give wings to trumpeters Julie Acosta, Jackie Coleman and Anna García, who combine with Domenica Fossatti’s dazzling flute work to achieve unparalleled orchestral heights in the all-important brass section. The classic Mariachi violin sound comes courtesy of Luisa Bastidas and Eva Lou Vossmerbäumer who are joined by Verónoca Medellín on guitarrón, Lila Downs band member George Saenz on trombone, Andy Averbuch (Kokolo) on bachata guitar, and members of NYC’s Banda de los Muertos. The material is refreshingly unique and yet rooted in tradition as well, and ranges across styles, regions and influences, from huapango to son, cumbia to salsa, bachata to bolero, Afro-Cuban to blues. There is also a touch of country/Americana, jazz and American popular song added to round things out.
This specially mastered vinyl version (created by Pete Maher and pressed by Burlington Record Plant) sounds incredible, and is available in black and limited hot pink editions.
Watch this excellent Tiny Desk concert with Flor de Toloache: