City Of Stoneby Rumillajta

I first heard Rumillajta back in the early 90's- I bought a couple of tapes- (remember those?) from a tiny shop that sold all things Andean in, of all places, Whitby in Yorkshire! I was hooked straight away. Previously the only 'South American' music I had heard was from Incantation, who are a manufactured group- from London- who are a pale imitation (pardon the pun) of Rumillajta. The translation of Rumillajta is city of Stone, the group's first eponymously titled album is new to me but familiar all the same. The instrumentation, lyrical quality and the haunting pan pipes are brilliantly combined to provide a transformational experience that takes the listener to the Bolivian Andes. City of Stone is, however, not one dimensional. The music is actually motivated by protest- Rumillajta's lyrics condemn the subjugation of their native culture after the Spanish invasion of the 16th century, however the listener will not detect any anger from the melodies that are engaging, subtle and almost hypnotic. If you are even mildly interested by what you have read then download the City of Stone and let the music wash over you. You will not be disappointed...