Chicha libre (USA)

Psychedelic music-trip New York-Peru

A musical import from the Barbès club in Brooklyn – the high-energy six member Chicha Libre fills the club with a raucously dancing crowd: their post-modern fusion of cumbia, surf and psychedelic pop – which they brought to the Montreal Jazz Festival – is inspired by the Peruvian chicha sound of the '70s.

The Hohner Electravox de luxe plays a leading role: the antique electronic accordion’s warm sound creates a ukulele-like, Venezuelan "Cuatro", a "baby bass" and cumbia-percussions. Armed with these instruments, the band produces special Chicha versions of Satie and Ravel. The "New York Magazine“ concludes:" Sixties-style Chicha Chachas, cloaked in flirtatious piano sounds and French whispering Guy-girl vocals.“