Driven by the sound of the tarima (a wooden dance platform), “Tragafuegos” explores the 6/8 groove of the son jarocho, yet departs from traditional harmonic vocabulary. As in previous Quetzal compositions, Martha González utilizes dance as a central tool in the composing process to tell the story of the fire breathers, who risk their bodies and lives to entertain commuters for tips in the congested urban spaces in Mexico.

Smithsonian Folkways will release "Imaginaries" by the supercharged East LA group Quetzal on February 28.
Inspired by traditional son jarocho music of Veracruz, Mexico, and spiked with urban rhythms, rock and R&B, East LA Chicano group Quetzal will release "Imaginaries," its fifth album and first for Smithsonian Folkways, on Feb. 28, 2012.
Quetzal, called "provocative, heartfelt and strikingly original" by the LA Times and founded by guitarist Quetzal Flores, rose from the ashes of uprisings in LA in 1992 as a vehicle for social commentary and activism.
Imaginaries is the 35th release in the Smithsonian Folkways Tradiciones/Traditions series since 2002. The series, a co-production with the Smithsonian Latino Center, showcases the diverse musical heritage of the 50 million Latinos living in the USA.

More information:

http://www.folkways.si.edu/about_us/news_press.aspx#12.14.11_quetzal

Listen to another track from "Imaginaries":

"Imaginaries" by Quetzal from "Imaginaries" by Smithsonian Folkways