Juaneco Y Su Combo: Masters of Chicha 1
The Legendary Amazonian Band Releases thier first U.S. CD
Jan 18, 2009
A Band As A Family Heirloom
Juaneco Y Su Combo was founded in the early '60s as Juaneco Y Su Conjunto by Juan Wong Paredes , a saxophone player, in the Amazonian town of Paculla, Peru. By the late '60s he had retired and his son, Juan Wong Popolizio, a keyboard player, had taken over the band, changing the name and the musical direction.
He recruited guitarist Noe Fachin and the two became the integral core of the band. Cumbia and carimbo rhythms from nearby Brazil influenced the band greatly as well as the emerging rock n' roll sounds they heard on the radio.
The band finally received a recording contract in 1970. But tragedy struck in 1977 when a plane carrying several members of the band, Noe Fachin included, crashed. Juan Wong decided to soldier on with new members but Fachin's absence was notable. Juan Wong died in 2004 and his son Mao Wong Lopez took over. Under his leadership, the band has experienced a resurgence in popularity.
"Mujer Hilandera"
This song is upbeat and bright with a guitar style reminiscent of afro-pop. The fluid guitar lines mimic the human voice. But despite the unique South American percussion, this song is still somewhat of a standard love ballad.
"Caballito Nocturno" and "Un Shipibo En Espana"
These two similar songs, both composed by Noe Fachin, are probably the best on the whole album. They're dance numbers if there ever was any. Emotional and energetic electric guitar and electric organ provide the power to these songs. "Un Shipibo En Espana" features more guitar than organ though and in a style that pays homage to "Espana" mentioned in the title.
"El Pelejito Bailarin"
As one of the only songs on the album to feature prominent rhythm guitar guitar strumming as opposed to note by note leads breaks, it almost has the feel of a standard American folk-rock song. However, the lively Latin percussion keeps it in step with the rest of the album.
"Ya Se A Muerto Mi Abuela"
This song really shows Juan Wong's talent on the electric organ. There's very little guitar but it's not needed. Despite the air of melancholy in the organ lines and the vocals, which may be the best on the album, the song has too infectious a beat to be truly sad.
The Bottom Line
Juaneco Y Su Combo are best when they're playing instrumentals. Luckily, most of the songs don't feature much vocal work. Juan Wong, Noe Fachin and the others have managed to be both virtuosos at their chosen instruments but tasteful with a feeling of fun and excitement. Each member of the band has a place in the sound.
The fact that nobody overshadows any anybody else creates the wonderful "jam" sound that couldn't be boring even if played for hours on end. That having been said, the band does have a tendency to repeat itself, which is why not every song on Masters Of Chicha 1 is instantly memorable. But Juaneco Y Su Combo, despite having a regional sound, are good enough to be stars the world over.
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