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Manongo Mujica — Ritual Sonoro para Ruinas Circulares
(Buh Records BR178, 2023, LP)

by Peter Thelen, Published 2023-12-22

Ritual Sonoro para Ruinas Circulares Cover art

Manongo Mujica is a legendary Peruvian avant garde percussionist, composer and visual artist who has been active since the 70s, first as a member of the psychedelic rock band Los Mads, then a founding member of the group Perujazz, which continues to this day with some ten albums to their credit. Beginning in the 90s, and parallel to the work of Perujazz, Mujica has forged a solo career giving performances on stages around the world, composing soundtracks for films and dance, as well as his involvement in the visual aspects thereof. Ritual Sonoro para Ruinas Circulares (Sonic Ritual for Circular Ruins) revolves around the desert of the peruvian coast and the pre-hispanic ceremonial centers found there, spaces that have been of primary interest in Mujica’s works for many years, the double LP Paracas Ritual from 2020 with Terje Evensen being just one of many. The music at hand features nine tracks based on Mujica’s explorations at the ruins found in Sechín in Casma, north of Lima, Chankillo and Las Aldas (between 2300 and 4000 years old), and the Archaeological Complex of Túcume, located in Chiclayo, north of Lima. The music is at once meditative and dreamlike, while at the same time ethnic and avant-garde; it’s a unique soundworld that is cerebral and ritualistic while perfectly conveying the composer’s concept. Mujica creates this ancient world using djembe, udu, cajon, gongs, shakers, chinese bells, panpipes, cello, and more, as well as field recordings, sound montages, ritualistic voices (courtesy of Gabriela Ezeta), three of Mujica’s sons, and Norwegian collaborator Terje Evensen is on hand once again creating electroacoustic atmospherics. The sounds are deep and intense, and truly immersive at times, with many subtleties and complexities revealing themselves on repeat listens. For the listener this compares well with works by Suspended Memories (Steve Roach / Jorge Reyes), Byron Metcalf, and certain works by Luis Perez, although Ritual Sonoro para Ruinas Circulares is predominantly percussion with far less reliance on electronics.

Filed under: New releases, 2023 releases

Related artist(s): Manongo Mujica

More info
http://buhrecords.bandcamp.com/album/ritual-sonoro-para-ruinas-circulares

 

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