Thursday, July 5, 2018

ATACAMA – Atacama (MNW, 1970) / Arriba Quemando el Sol (MNW, 1971)

 
International relevance: *
Spanish vocals 
 
It's been said that singer/songwriter and gay activist Jan Hammarlund was a crucial influence on the growing interest in Chilean music in Sweden during the early 70's, but prior to that, famed label MNW had already released two albums by Chilean/Swedish group Atacama, ”Atacama” in 1970 and ”Arriba Quemando el Solin 1971. One of the members was Luis Veloz Roca who moved to Sweden in 1970 and later changed his name to Francisco Roca and became solo artist, film director and author.

Before making their debut album, Atacama performed at the legendary Stockholm theatre Narren as well as universities across Sweden. They described themselves as musical purists, performing highly political music on traditional Chilean instruments.

There's certainly no skill shortage on these two albums and while they're enjoyable in their own right, I'm sure someone with a taste for Chilean music will find them a lot more worthwhile than I do. The thing is that Latin American music, particularly music of the Andes, has been standard fare buskers' music in Sweden since the 70's – sometimes it's been just about impossible to walk down a street without hearing pan flutes and guitars. It eventually wears you out and before long, and with a continuous overexposure to it, it provokes a general distaste for just about any music even remotely like it. I admit it's unfair, but it effectively ruined my ability to appreciate bands like Atacama for what they're worth. Please try the links below and decide for yourself!

Both albums have been released by other labels, and a third Atacama album came out in 1978 on the YTF imprint, ”Musica De Los Andes”.

from Atacama

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