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 Sol” in
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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