WOMAD

Susana Baca

From Peru

We’ve got David Byrne to thank for getting the world acquainted with Susana Baca. Prior to her mid-90s breakthrough, we knew nothing about her – and precious little more about the Afro-Peruvian music that she’s since brought into our lives. Having signed to Byrne’s utterly magnificent Luaka Bop label a decade back, she’s released a tempting trail of albums that instantly told us plenty about the musical traditions of her homeland. (Incidentally, she also runs an Afro-Peruvian heritage centre back home in Lima.) Not that her thoughts always run culturally pure. Susana’s got ears that like to wander, encouraging the absorption of sounds from beyond Peru’s borders into her songs. On her latest album, Travesias, she not only duets with Brazilian icon Gilberto Gil but also unleashes a divine cover of Damien Rice’s Volcano. Slightly more self-effacing than the Buena Vista Social Club diva Omara Portuondo, Susana is no less charming a performer. An hour or so spent soaking in the seductive power of her songs is some of the best spiritual regeneration around.Catch this if you like… Omara Portuondo or Cesaria Evora