Traditional Mexican Music [español]

Mexican music is relatively young although its roots are ancient depending on the origin of each song. There are many genres within traditional Mexican music, and Azul’s first solo album presents a mosaic of such. The songs range from the very beginnings of the conquest, with the arrival of the Spaniards to Mexico, through to post-revolution times and Azul´s own compositions. Many of the songs’ themes developed from an appreciation of the rural experience, into nostalgia for it, with the advent of the migration from the countryside to Mexico City in the 19th century. Mexico City plays a key role as it experienced the greatest influx of people during this period. The generation of songwriters of this time wrote about the inevitable longing that set in, for their homes left behind and life in the country. Songs relating to the tragedy of displacement began to take on a powerful meaning in everyday life. Their rhythms and melodies are a mix of what the Spanish brought as well as Cuban, Arabic, African and other Latin American influences, all of which had a lasting effect on the local ethnicity and history.

Azul stays true to the original lyrics of these songs in Spanish as she plays acoustic guitar is accompanied by fellow talented musicians Maya Guirao, Jai López and Michael Martin. She is from a new generation of singers that search in the shadows of the past to bring life to old songs from all over Mexico, focusing on the rich melodies that still retain the essence, warmth, honesty, profundity and simplicity that characterise the roots of Mexican music and its people. The music and the stories each one tells creates a delightful ambience full of emotional and spiritual calmness that touches our inner voice, inviting us to embrace the sounds.

Azul's singing voice is incredibly beautiful and profound and the music she sings, full of deep sentiment not tied to any particular category or genre that captures the imagination and the heart of the listener at the same time as enlightening us on the history of Mexico from a musical perspective. It caresses and calms the senses of the listener. The seductive blend of voice and rhythmic instruments, both sensual and eloquent, express faith in the ways that love and life bring out the best, and worst, in ourselves and our spirits; a story that all humanity shares.