Lila Downs
La Cantina (Narada/EMI)
With her superb fifth album, Lila Downs not only embraces her Mexican roots, she does so fiercely, lovingly. Rancheras, cumbias, and corridos are all played with a deeply felt sentimiento that ranges from joyous to heart wrenching, playful to grievous. All 15 tracks are impossible to dismiss, each a unique treasure on an album that’s already a generous gift. Although working with traditional forms, songs like “Tu Recuerdo y Yo” (a classic cry into your cerveza if there ever was one) and the heart-wrenching “La Cama de Piedra” are infused with contemporary rhythmic touches and arrangements that make the songs fresh. In fact, most tracks are startlingly modern without sacrificing the vintage roots that have made them classic forms. And perhaps only a person who reveres the signature dish of her Oaxaca, Mexico, birthplace can truly appreciate “La Cumbia del Mole” (also sung in English), which pays tribute to the mastery of creating the dish from scratch, set against a sassy cumbia backbeat. Tejano accordionist Flaco Jimenez sits in on several cuts, bringing his characteristic zing to an album already piquant with vibrancy and flavored with corazon.
This article appears in May 5 • 2006.