Mariachi Flor de Toloache - Dicen / When We Love - 45rpm 7" (limited edition)

Details: Latin Grammy Nominees Mariachi Flor de Toloache make New York City history as its first and only all-female mariachi ensemble. Founded in 2008, Mariachi Flor de Toloache is lead by singers Mireya I. Ramos (founder) and Shae Fiol (original member). Starting out as a trio, Mariachi Flor De Toloache now performs as a full ensemble of 12 pieces. This special sisterhood hails from diverse cultural backgrounds such as Mexico, Cuba Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic, Australia, Colombia, Germany, Italy and the United States. This defines their unique flavor and sound. The result of this cultural bouquet is an edgy, versatile and fresh take on traditional Mexican music with a cohesion, grace and vibrant beauty that casts a spell over their audiences not unlike the legendary toloache flower still being used in Mexico as a love potion. While working to preserve centuries old traditions, their potpourri of the traditional and the modern pushes the boundaries of the genre and brings mariachi music to new audiences.

Over the course of the last few years, Mariachi Flor de Toloache’s performances have illuminated world-renowned stages in Europe and India. In November 2015, the group embarked on an extensive European and U.S tour as the opening act of Black Keys’ singer Dan Auerbach’s new band, The Arcs. After performances to sold-out audiences in the UK, Germany, Holland, Italy, France, they continued to captivate crowds in the U.S. at legendary venues and popular festivals across the country.

Mariachi Flor De Toloache’s critically acclaimed self-titled debut album received a Latin Grammy nomination for “Best Ranchera Album” of 2015. Sharing the podium with legends Pedro Fernández and Aida Cuevas meant an embrace from the Latin music community and proved that an indie regional Latin band could make it to the big time.

On hearing the album, Peace & Rhythm invited the band to collaborate on bringing two DJ-friendly songs to the 7-inch vinyl single format, and both parties agreed “Dicen” and “When We Love” would be perfect. Both are original compositions that push the traditional mariachi envelope, yet retain the sabor mexicano that makes them feel authentic yet refreshing at the same time, like a hand-made tortilla with a nouvelle-cuisine topping. The first is a buoyant cumbia that turns heads and moves crowds whenever it’s played; the B-side is a special single edit of a beautiful bachata (a Dominican mid-tempo romantic couples dance filled with longing and intimacy) sung in English and augmented by typical bachata-style electric guitar and percussion. Sexy and summery, these two tracks bring out the best in the band and should prove popular among aficionados of Mexican and Tropical music alike.

The cover art is a collage of Mexican-themed imagery originally put together by New Jersey artist Porkchop, but reassembled in a visual mash-up by Peace & Rhythm’s DJ Bongohead. Limited edition so grab them while they’re hot off the press!

You can preview and download/buy digitals at ITunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/dicen/id956080850?i=956080857