Although my introduction to Latin American culture is recent, my appreciation for it is deep. At a point last semester, I was studying the region's history, watching a documentary series on Cuba and following a show set in Colombia. It only seemed justified to also listen to Latin American music and little did I realise that I was introducing myself to wonderful new world, where I was lucky to come across the Buena Vista Social Club.
The genius of the musicians and track aside--and I'll come back to it--I just want to take a minute to say how amazingly universal music is. I can't speak a word of Spanish but that never come in the way of me enjoying Spanish music. Today we live in a world where certain people are seeking legitimacy and popularity through various forms of xenophobia, discrimination and just a sheer amount of hate speech driven by some misplaced sense of superiority. It is amazing then, that music can bridge those differences and allow people to overcome their misplaced sentiments and perceptions about others.
About Chan Chan--ah its so energetic and beautiful. I purposely picked the Live at Carnegie Hall version. As the first track of set, the audience cheer sets the stage for what is a wonderful performance. The entire album is so full of flavour--one cannot get enough of it. Somehow though, Chan Chan remains my favourite. It is another high, altogether.
If you are on a musical high, put on Chan Chan.
You can learn more about Buena Vista Social Club here:
About the curator - Aarushi Aggarwal
Aarushi is a senior at college and is majoring in history and international relations. Her music library is as much home to jazz as it is to Indian classical. Her passion for discovering new music far supersedes other equally important things like finishing assignments on time. She loves dogs, coffee and chocolate.