Adopting the tallest mountain in the Andes as their namesake, Aconcagua performs many types of music from the central Andean region, which blends elements from the Spanish, African, mestizo, criollo, Quechua, and Aymara traditions. Reflecting this cultural diversity, Aconcagua's instrumentation includes Spanish guitar and other European... [+] Read More

Adopting the tallest mountain in the Andes as their namesake, Aconcagua performs many types of music from the central Andean region, which blends elements from the Spanish, African, mestizo, criollo, Quechua, and Aymara traditions. Reflecting this cultural diversity, Aconcagua's instrumentation includes Spanish guitar and other European instruments, as well as indigenous instruments like kena flutes, sikup pan pipes, charango guitars, arpa indigena, bombo. and charango. 1999's Magical Flutes From the Andes marked their U.S. debut. ~ Heather Phares, All Music Guide [-] Hide

Savia Andina was one of the first Andean folk groups to attract international attention. Co-founded by Bolivian composer and charango player Eddy Navia, Savia Andina was a four-piece group dedicated to preserving the most obscure musical traditions of the Andean region. Although Savia Andina recorded 30 albums that were released in Latin America... [+] Read More

Savia Andina was one of the first Andean folk groups to attract international attention. Co-founded by Bolivian composer and charango player Eddy Navia, Savia Andina was a four-piece group dedicated to preserving the most obscure musical traditions of the Andean region. Although Savia Andina recorded 30 albums that were released in Latin America including three that achieved gold status, Navia left the band to join Sukay in 1978. Navia has also recorded several solo albums. ~ Craig Harris, All Music Guide [-] Hide

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Aconcagua is the name of a musical project run by composer/arranger/conductor Pablo Carcamo. It specializes in the music of the Andes, crossing political borders to run the gamut of flutes, panpipes, and guitars that the region has to offer. Inti Illimani this group is not. Aconcagua does not so much use Andean music and let themselves be used... [+] Read More

Aconcagua is the name of a musical project run by composer/arranger/conductor Pablo Carcamo. It specializes in the music of the Andes, crossing political borders to run the gamut of flutes, panpipes, and guitars that the region has to offer. Inti Illimani this group is not. Aconcagua does not so much use Andean music and let themselves be used by it. Even though they do employ a few modern Western instruments, like the guitar, bass, and accordion, these are almost inaudible in the mix. But while Aconcagua's authenticity is obviously good from one point of view, it becomes onerous from another, as their rhythms seldom vary, nor does their timbre.

There are exceptions to the rule. The piece "Lejania (Too Far Away)" begins with an echoey, breathy flute and continues with a fast-march pace that affords some variety. Another somewhat interesting number is "Dos Pensiamentos (Two Thoughts)," in which a too-short solo for the cuatro (small guitar) is followed by a too-long, flamenco-like solo for the Spanish guitar. But most of the tracks are the usual uninspired concatenation of huffing and strumming that is Andean music. If you're looking for Andean sounds with a bit more bounce, try Los Incas. ~ Kurt Keefner, All Music Guide [-] Hide