the project

The Incas linked much of their daily life with their religious beliefs and, therefore, with nature inasmuch as they worshipped the elements, such as the sun, the moon, thunder, pachamama (mother earth) and many other marvels of nature. For thousands of years, cultures around the world worshipped the sun—the element vital to life. During pre–Inca and Inca civilization, Tat-Inti (Sun God), was the most important of the many gods to worship. The Incas considered themselves to be direct descendants of the Tat-Inti and called themselves Sons of Tat-Inti. Consequently, they dedicated their lives to the sun god by holding special religious ceremonies and festivals year round. Thus Inkuyo's newest release of traditional and contemporary Andean music is titled Ancient Sun, after track 5, Sol Milenario.

Reconstructing the musical rhythms born from numerous cultural mixes and influences with Bolivia, Inkuyo offers listeners a variety of these Andean–born rhythms while simultaneously emulating the sounds of ancient songs, dances and festivals which remain popular and celebrated today.

Flowing flawlessly, the music ranges from sensual and cadent tempos, romantic and sensual rhythms, a two–part rhythm that is a slow and sad melody ending with an energetic format breaking the sad spell, lively and beautiful melodies, and capturing the natives yearning for their homeland.

Ancient Sun follows in the same tradition as Inkuyo's other four recordings. Listeners are thoughtfully and joyfully transposed to the ancient history of the pre-Inca and Inca civilization through a combination of modern compositions inspired by the land and its people and traditional songs and dances collected during the ensembles' travels throughout the Andes.

the artists

An internationally recognized virtuoso of pan–pipes and South American flutes, Inkuyo founder Gonzalo Vargas, inherited his traditional musical knowledge growing up in the remote Andean village of Tapajkari, Bolivia. His desire to perform, study, and teach his ancestral music led him to work with numerous ensembles in his native land. He then played a key role in introducing Andean music to the United States and Canada as one of the founders of Sukay. In creating Inkuyo, Vargas brought together the talents of musicians who are well versed in the Andean musical heritage.

For more than three decades, Argentinian guitarist Enrique Coria has been performing classical, folk and dance music from South America. He has played on hundreds of difference recordings with popular groups from Argentina, Chile, Uruguay, Bolivia and the United States. Born in Quillacollo, Bolivia, Salomon Perez is a master of the charango, a small guitar like instrument made out of a shell of an Armadillo. Joining Inkuyo are guest artists Jim Kerwin on acoustic bass and Rogelio Rangel on the siku (flute).

biography

discography

tracklist