Chicago, IL. (Top40 Charts) 13 B'ak'tun is named after the thirteenth turning of the Mayan long-count calendar on December 21, 2012, which completed a 5,200 year cycle. For the band, as it did for the Mayans, this event represented the end of an era and a time for a new beginning and reinvention.
Sones de Mexico Ensemble pays tribute to this momentous historical occasion by dedicating their newest album entitled, "13 B'ak'tun." This album, unique to its predecessors, takes some bold steps reaching outside of the traditional Mexican repertoire by exploring Chinese music, jazz, odd-time signatures, classical, and even a dance hall remix. In addition to the album's rhythmic and cultural variances, it is extremely well-structured and quite complex, with an underlying theme. Sones de Mexico co-founder Juan Dies says that, "this album represents a musical rebirth for the band as the calendar does for the Mayans."
This is the band's sixth studio album. As it has done in the past, the two-time GRAMMY nominated ensemble records old Mexican folk tunes with passion, energy and the most advanced production resources available to them. This album features three original compositions by three different members of the band exploring deep aspects of Mexican folk music and also going outside of the box without losing its Mexican cultural authenticity.
ABOUT SONES DE MEXICO ENSEMBLE: The Sones de México Ensemble made its first public appearance in 1994 at an art gallery in Chicago's Pilsen neighborhood, commemorating the death of Mexican land-rights revolution hero Emiliano Zapata. Through the years, the ensemble has amassed a large collection of folk musical instruments from Mexico's diverse local cultures using it to interpret music from different regions of the country. Today, the ensemble has toured extensively, and through its own non-profit organization has taught thousands of school children and adults across the nation about the riches of Mexican music, dance, and culture. The ensemble consists of six members: Victor Pichardo (music director), Juan Dies, Lorena Iñiguez, Juan Rivera, Zacbe Pichardo, and Javier Saume-Mazzei.
13 B'ak'tun is now available on iTunes:
itunes.apple.com/us/album/id667758849
Check out CD Baby for other albums by Sones de Mexico Ensemble.
www.cdbaby.com/artist/SonesdeMexicoEnsemble
