Lila Downs, Niña Pastori and Soledad: “Tan Bonita”, part of the album “Raíz, never me gone” (2024)
The singers Lila Downs, Soledad y Pastori Girl have achieved an outstanding nomination for Latin Grammy in the category of best folk album for their joint EP Root I never left. A decade after the original launch of his project Rootthe artists once again explore the rhythms of their countries: Mexico, Argentina and Spain. This new material was celebrated by the media, Soledad He shared that “the 10 years were like a kind of push,” adding that there was a desire to repeat that initial experience.
The creation of the EP was a challenge even for these music veterans, recognized for their career and previous awards in the Latin world. Soledad He expressed that “one always gets nervous when faced with a challenge.” The collaboration between different voices made the process easier, as he explained, and Niña Pastori complements this idea by pointing out that in the songs “we are united by sensitivity, by love for what we do.”
One of the most complicated decisions of this process was the selection of the repertoire. In their recent work, the three artists included well-known solo songs such as “Mezcalito”, “Pon que dale” and “Hispano”, in addition to presenting the cumbia “Tan bonito” together for the first time. During the recording in Miami, an atmosphere of camaraderie was generated, even sharing traditional drinks such as mezcal, beer and wine to symbolize their respective cultures.
Lila Downs, Soledad and Niña Pastori explored rhythms from Mexico, Argentina and Spain (Sony Music)
The emotional version of “Everything changes” closes the EP, a song immortalized by Mercedes Sosa. For Niña Pastori, it was a song discovered in this project, about which she said: “I thought it was incredibly beautiful” and clarified: “with great delicacy we tried to make it and version it in our own way. For Downs, the song has an important message due to the current moment in which there are social and political changes: “I think it is always unique, from the roots of each respective country, to look inward, to look at the positive things that are changing.” . The importance of seeing it from a perspective of art and the change of life, that is very profound.”
The three artists have expressed their enthusiasm for attending the awards ceremony. Latin Grammy next November 14 in Miami. Lila Downs He declared that “it is always an honor to have a compliment towards your work, towards your career.” In addition, the singers are considering the possibility of going on a future tour with Rootas Niña Pastori pointed out: “This second round of what we have done started a little there, wanting to fulfill what we couldn’t do the other time, which was to get together live.”
The cover of “Raiz never left” by Lila Downs, Soledad and Niña Pastori (Sony Music Mexico via AP)
The project Root I never left Not only has it brought these three great artists together again, but it has also brought with it renewed energy and the opportunity to pay tribute to their cultures through folklore. The idea of uniting and creating bridges emerges as a central message of this collaboration. Niña Pastori stated about her songs, “let’s create new paths,” thus reflecting the artistic and cultural focus that has guided her EP.
Lila Downs, Soledad y Pastori Girl They continue to establish themselves as key figures in the global music scene, celebrating the richness and diversity of their own cultural roots through this work. Without a doubt, music has been the perfect vehicle to express these feelings, which underline how art manages to create deep connections between continents.
Fuente AFP
