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conjunto jardin - floreando A trip to the western Caribbean coastal province of Veracruz sets the traveller firmly in son jarocho territory. It is truly ironic that the most recognisable latin tune La Bamba, a piece composed by an African slave in the 19th century should be virtually the only example of this powerful Afro-Mexican genre to impinge itself on the mass consciousness. Recalling the closing bars of the Los Lobos hit where things turn rhythmically acoustic with stringed jaranas (small 8-string guitar) and requintos (4-string guitar), there are probably few pop listeners on this planet who haven't heard a fairly decently played son jarocho interlude, albeit a brief 20 second one. If there is any justice in this world Conjunto Jardin, an LA based band whose mission statement is to take this gloriously addictive style to the world should be shaking the bones of all but the rhythmically dyslectic. Although formed in 1997 a powerful historical thread leads from the group back to the 50's when a young harpist, lecturer and ethno-musicologist Tim Harding, the world's leading authority on son jarocho was lecturing on music at Mexico City College and making field-recordings throughout Veracruz for the Folkways label. Indeed it is Tim's daughters Cindy and Libby, coached from a young age by daddy-maestro himself, who lead Conjunto Jardin, and provide the rich vocal harmonies as well as play requinto and jarana. Floreando is the second recording by Conjunto Jardin and consists of 10 songs based on traditional jarocho motifs and one original piece, the charming De Puerto En Puerto, a lilting number with an Afro-Cuban undertow. African percussionist Marcel Adjibi contributes vocals, cajon, congas and talking drums, Gary Johnson keyboard harp, piano, jarana segunda, vocals and various instruments, Rick Moors bass and Jorge Mijangos jarana segunda, bongo, tres (Cuban guitar), cowbell, guiro and vocals. In addition guests including the harp of Professor Tim Harding are presented on various numbers.
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