Echoes Of Incas

Echoes of Incas was formed partially from the same members as the group Ah-Kin. The group uses traditional Andean instruments, such as the pan pipes, drums, rattles, and guitars; electric guitar and bass are added for a vibrant pan-cultural sound.

Members of Echoes of Incas, which differ on each album, hail from many countries:
Arturo Garcia Orozco (the key composer, from Mexico),
Konrad Rhee (U.S.A.),
Roberto E. Duenas (El Salvador),
Gilberto Reyes (Peru),
Luis Felipe Gonzales (Venezuela),
Cesar Regino (Mexico),
Sergio A. Villegas (Chile),
Michael O'Day (Puerto Rico),
Pathik Desai (U.S.A.),
Gino Gambao (Peru),
Kambiz Pakandam (Iran)

«Folkloric music from Peru and the Andes. The samponas, charango, bombo, and other instruments used in Ventana Al Sol are all native of Peru and other South American cultures. This music has a great uplifting beat».
(The Nature Company)

«Ventana Al Sol is an upbeat collection of tunes that are at once Latin and indigenous sounding, vividly reminding one of the native cultures of Central and South America. Native flutes give a breathy flavor to the solid percussion and guitar, and the listener almost feels as though they have been invited to a festival, celebration, or ceremony. The addition of weather and bird sounds adds to the ambience and the feeling of being at a live outdoor performance at some exotic local».
(The New Times, Seattle, WA )

Review by Carol Wright :
«Traditional music of the Andes is honored on this fusion album by Echoes of Incas. Half the composing team is Arturo Garcia Orozco from Mexico; he plays guitar, huancara, ocarinas, whistles, indigenous percussion instruments, and special effects. Konrad Rhee, from the United States, is the other key composer; he plays flute, samponas, and charango (the distinctive ten-string guitar made from an armadillo shell). The album opens with «Huayras Puncco», a ride-the-wind extravaganza with a hot, heart-pounding percussion solo. The group's sound is balanced among traditional instruments, acoustic guitars, electric guitars, and bass. The sound is distinctively Andean, but the dynamics and virtuosity (e.g., the aforementioned percussion solo) are stretched. Percussion stands out on «Flor Ardiente», which features the expressive sounds of the cajon purano, the Afro-Peruvian box, played by Roberto E. Duenas from El Salvador. «Tormento de Fuego» features thunder and rain sounds backing gentle guitars and pipes. The title track includes the wondrous sounds of forest birds and a refreshing rain; it is dedicated to the Temple of the Three Windows at Machu Picchu in Peru. The most famous piece is Rodrigo's «Concerto de Aranjuez»; here, the ocarina and the Spanish guitar take turns with the haunting melody. The album ends with «Orilla del Mar», a peaceful interpretation of the sea played on pipe and guitar, with nature sounds. If you like the gutsy, saucy sounds of music from the Andes, you will like this spirited album».