Banda Cuisillos is a big bunch of brass-playing hippies. According to their useful biography, they got their name by combining the Mayan word “KU,” a sacred space, with the Spanish word “sillos,” which hasn’t appeared in my Spanish lessons but which apparently means “little (or at least diminutive) pyramids.” They dress in “Indian” garb, with a sentimental fondness for the Apaches who populated Mexico and the U.S. in the halcyon days before our two nations were separated by a border, when everyone lived together in peace and harmony. (Must research.) Besides the requisite love songs, every Cuisillos album includes one or two songs about “diferentes aspectos importantes” of being human; these aspectos include drug addiction, ecology, forming a new world, and single mothers. Their February single “Cerveza,” for instance, addresses the modern epidemic of “beer goggles.” Just say no, kids.
But in general you should say yes to Cuisillos, whose independently released albums have featured fine songs, unexpected sonic touches, and cover art puked up by the Luck Dragon. Unfortunately, their new single “Soñando Despierto” (Independent) has none of those things; it’s your standard-issue happy-go-lucky banda lope, not too far removed from something puked up by Luis Coronel. It’s not nearly as good as Willie Colón’s song of the same name. As daydream songs go, it captures all the cloying bits of the Lovin’ Spoonful but neglects the Monkees’ majesty.
NO VALE LA PENA
Also lacking in majesty is Diana Reyes, whose latest album Yo No Creo en los Hombres (DR) opens with the lackluster theme song from the novela of the same title. Its quality plateaus from there. NB readers know I’ve long admired Reyes, both for her music (her husky voice is an ideal vehicle for heartrending pop melodies) and for her business sense (DR is her own label). Some of her clattery indie duranguense albums stood as the most exciting in that genre. Hombres is mostly banda and not at all clattery; it hovers in the same swinging midtempo space as Cuisillo’s daydreaming single. One exception: the fevered tempo changes of “Si He Sabido.”
NO VALE LA PENA
NorteñoBlog is having trouble finding information on Los Zafiros Del Norte without getting a hundred hits for plain old Los Zafiros, an old Cuban group who sounded like the Platters. Don’t confuse the two! Not that you would: Los Zafiros del Norte have been around since last decade or so (I think), they’re from Michoacán (I believe), and they sing about cartel figures and their misdeeds (I’m guessing), with breakneck accordion fills over a tough rhythm section (of this I’m sure), while plain old Los Zafiros… sound like the Platters. You know which Zafiros we’re interested in. Their new single “El Prieto Ortiz” (Hyphy) is a rollicking good time and this week’s Pick to Click, although I’m still trying to determine who they’re singing about. (The lyrics are also hard to find, and — lo siento — my Spanish brain lacks Los Zafiros’ quickness.)
VALE LA PENA
October 15, 2015 at 2:04 am
I’m a little familiar with los Zafiro’s music. Most of their songs are narco corridos so won’t hear them much on the radio except maybe on one of those late night mixes. I translated the song the best i could, they use some slang im not too familiar with but i have an idea. It’s a pretty simple and straight forward corrido.
Everyone calls him “El Prieto”
that homie is down to earth
from Tierra Caliente, Michoacan of course
from a humble (poor) background
he won’t ever deny it
I dedicate these verses
he is a man of his word
he always does as he says
and never things
You won’t find him among the rich
but he spends money like one
His gold cup gun…
…always in his hand
Shoots it up in the sky
to be fully prepared
Because he doesn’t sell tamales nor champurrado
Proud of his family
his parents and his siblings
They didn’t give him much
but now he’s made it big
When it comes to women
He’s always been very lucky
Friends he has plenty
but he likes being alone
but what never hinders him
is his gold cup gun
Always by his side
in case a nuisance appears
El Prieto says goodbye
you might see him later
in one of those famous parties
in his beautiful Turicato
Drinking cold beers
if the situation allows him.
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October 15, 2015 at 5:53 pm
Thanks, CR! This is really helpful.
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October 20, 2015 at 4:39 pm
its pretty accurate, nice job!
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