Salsa From Ecuador

What, you may ask, distinguishes salsa from Ecuador from other forms of salsa? Basically it is the addition of the breathy Andean flutes and panpipes (quenas and zamponas) to the mix. There are also some local guitars and drums, but they fold more smoothly into the mix. It's the flutes that really stand out, providing a piquant instrumental accent. Otherwise, the texture is lighter than most salsa. The piano is mixed further back in the sound image than usual, and the guitars are all acoustic. The percussion is just right, rhythmic without being overbearing. The overall effect is kind of like a proto-salsa, more like folk music. It bears a stronger resemblance to Cuban music than most salsa. There are some fun tracks on this recording. One of the Andean guitars has a tasty solo on "Sandra Mora." "Derroche (Wasted)" is a midtempo number with a tick-tock beat and real drama. "Brasilerito" is an instrumental that features the Andean flute playing the melody, backed by an Andean and a Spanish guitar providing the rhythm. Technically, this song is probably not salsa, but it is catchy. A modest pleasure for fans of both salsa and Andean music. ~ Kurt Keefner|