Los Cardencheros de Sapioriz are the last performing group of an acapella Mexican slave song tradition, the Canto Cardenche. Fidel Elizalde, Antonio Valles, and Guadalupe Salazar, comprise the group, documented here in their first globally distributed recording, performing traditional songs of love, despair, and the life of a campesino (rancher) dating back to the 19th Century. While the Canto Cardenche tradition has recently been celebrated by artists from Lila Downs to Mexican jazz artists, the Cardencheros de Sapioriz continue to lead humble lives on the races of Sapioriz, Durango, in the north of Mexico.
On “Un Amor Pendiente”, Los Cardencheros de Sapiorz introduce us to Higinio Chavarria, the next generation of Cardencheros, who the men have asked to revive a tradition nearly extinct. This recording calls on five guest artists inspired by the Canto Cardenche. Mexican jazz singer Iraida Noriega offers a boisterous take on “Una Mañana Muy Transparente”, while pianist Alex Mercado turns “Las Golondrinas” into a beautiful study of folk jazz. Todd Clouser, Los Acardehnchados, and Aaron Cruz, recognized Mexico City based artists offer interpretations of the Canto Cardenche as well.
A first of its kind recording of a one of a kind tradition. This is music for, and from, the honest human experience.
released May 12, 2015