Tree Of Life

Description

.com Lila Downs's sophomore U.S. release sees her take a much more folkloric tack than her debut, delving into the mystical codices of the Mexican Mixtec natives (her ancestry on her mother's side)--not that the entire album is made up of ancestral songs. There's also "Nueve Viento," a bolero son as rich and satisfying as anything to come out of Buena Vista Social Club. But the heart of this album beats strongest when it's barest, making the stark "Yunu Yucu Ninu" (which she performed differently on her debut) into an eerie delight. Blessed with a remarkable voice, operatic training, and jazz chops, Downs can cover a lot of territory. "Tres Pedernal" recalls the husky Tropicalia of Gal Costa. With its look at native culture and lore, this is a record that delves much deeper than Mexican pop, marking Downs as a serious singer of talent and depth. --Chris Nickson Review This album combines modern production with the unselfconsciousness of a field recording. The sophisticated music features rich arrangements and the encompassing voice of Downs, who sings in Spanish, Zapotec, Mayan and Mixtec. Born in Oaxaca to a Mexican mother and an American father, she grew up between the two countries, and her music blends blues, gospel, ranchera, bolero and opera. You can feel Downs' authority as she sings of humanity's birth from nature and of the people-red, brown, black and white. --Sule Greg Wilson -- From Rhythm Magazine