Peruvian music

Peru has a great and complex musical history...there are some real gems if you look beyond the cumbia that assaults you in every cab and combi ride. Here's some of my favorites--

Psychedelic jungle music:

Roots of Chicha http://www.barbesrecords.com/rootsofchicha.html

Afro-Peruvian/world beat fusion:

Novalima http://www.novalima.net/afro/

There's a good background on Afro-Peruvian music here

Musica criollia, the national music of Peru, is closely related.

I've been learning to play the Cajon, famous in Afro-Peruvian music...

This upcoming week I'm planning to visit Chincha, heart of Afro-Peruvian culture, during their Carnaval celebrations...heading there with my photojournalist friend Ric Francis to take some photos, etc...more to come...