The bases of this song (cajon, snare) are playing what is known as a “tondero”, (trad. dance from the north coast, similar to a slower tempo “marinera”), with lyrics from deceased Peruvian poet Cesar Calvo, who worked closely with Chabuca Granda and was an important figure in Peruvian music during the 60 and 70s. Our version takes the traditional tondero style into the future courtesy of Toni’s subbass and mikey dread’s dub sirens (RIP – were stolen after a gig in Lima....will not be forgotten!)
lyrics
I
Luna, entre tus labios
amarga miel he bebido
que si me quedo te pierdo
y si me alejo te olvido
de que me sirve en tu vida
haberme yo detenido
si bajo mis pies desnudos
pasan mas tristes caminos
en la noche de tus trenzas
luna ciega es mi destino
II
recuerda cuando yo muera
dire tu nombre callando
para que en medio la noche
tiemble una estrella en mis labios
que sea noche de junio
o sea noche de mayo
pero que tus ojos lluevan
dentro mis ojos cerrados
en la noche de tus trenzas
luna ciega es mi destino
translation
Moon, between your lips, I have drank sour honey
If I stay I get lost, but if I go away I forget
In the night of your curls, a blind moon is my destiny
Whats the use of having stopped in your life,
If under my naked feet, sad roads go along
In the night of your curls, a blind moon is my destiny
Remember when I die, I´ll quietly say your name
So in the middle of the night a star trembles in my lips
Let it be a night in June or a night in May
But your eyes should rain in my closed eyes
In the night of your curls, a blind moon is my destiny
credits
from Karimba,
released June 15, 2012
(Music by Rafael Morales, Lyrics by C. Calvo)
musicians
Milagros Guerrero – vocals
Rafael Morales – guitar, keys, programming
Grimaldo Del Solar - programming
Toni Economides - sub bass
Orlando carbonero – trombone
Mangue Vasquez – cajon
Constantino alvarez – snare, timbale
With a shared passion for traditional Afro-Peruvian music and global DJ culture, Grammy-nominated Novalima stands in the common ground bridging past and future, uniting tradition and innovation.
