YMA SUMAC “VOICE OF THE XTABAY” PSYCHY EXOTICA

YMA SUMAC “VOICE OF THE XTABAY”    PSYCHY EXOTICA
Yma Sumac
Xtabay
Capitol Records, US, 12 Tracks, Yellow Labels, No Bar Code, Early 70’s Pressing. SOC

Condition:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Sleeve: Very Good++

She was born in Peru and had an exceptional voice with a very large range, from deep alto to high whispering tones, sounding from grumbling or operatic. She jumped on Les Baxter’s exotica train. The arrangements use classical intruments and Latin percussion. Taita Inty evokes the mystery of Inca polytheism and exploits her high and bright register. Ataypura! starts dark and threatening, then moves to tribal shouts and rhythms. In Tumpa she sounds like a demon. Choladas centers around the variation of a basic motive and showcases her vocal capacities.

Sumac’s vocals chirp, soar, and growl, over churning rhythms and beautiful Les Baxter backdrops. Her vocals are equally operatic on the more down-to-earth South American numbers, but those tracks are less unique overall. It is definitely a record of its time, but worth the exploration if you have an open mind.
Track listingShow track credits
A1
Virgin of the Sun God (Taito Inty)
A2
High Andes! (Ataypura!)
A3
Chant of the Chosen Maidens (Accla Taqui)
A4
Earthquake! (Tumpa!)
B1
Dance of the Moon Festival (Choladas)
B2
Dance of the Winds (Wayra)
B3
Monkeys (Monos)
B4
Lure of the Unknown Love (Xtabay)