La Barranca
Encyclopedia
La Barranca has been a successful ongoing outfit for over a decade. Based in Mexico City
, they are led by guitarist and songwriter José Manuel Aguilera, who previously and concurrently worked with Sangre Azteka, Jaguares
, Cecilia Toussaint, Steven Brown/Nine Rain (Tuxedomoon
), and more. He has an unusually economical style of playing that concentrates on great rhythms, superb tone, and very melodic solos. After the original lineup—Aguilera, Federico Fong
(bass), Alfonso Andre (drums), all of whom were guest members of Jaguares with former Caifanes
frontman Saúl Hernández
--went its separate ways, a second version of the band included Santa Sabina
guitar virtuoso Alex Otaola
and the extremely flexible rhythm section of brothers Jose María ("Chema") and Alonso Arreola. The band's sound effortlessly moves from flat out rock to fusion-ish jamming and passes through a kind of Mexican
folk influence along the way. Aguilera is a good singer with a talent for finding simple melodies amidst rather complex songs. On "El Fluir" the band decided to record live and to cut back on the keyboard and programmed additions to their music. Surprisingly, the result was not an over-the-top jamfest but rather a very tightly arranged set of songs that hinted at the overwhelming power they could possess in concert. The two guitar interplay between Aguilera and Otaola was highly impressive as they explored all forms of playing together and against one another (with Otaola pulling all sorts of radical sounds out of his guitar). "El Fluir" was their first US release since "Tempestad" in 1998. This edition was further sweetened by the inclusion of a previously unreleased bonus track and a video for the first single "Pare de Sufrir."
In 2007, the group went on hiatus in order to find new management and to allow time for solo projects. José Manuel Aguilera released a second project with Jaime López titled "No más héroes, por favor." Bassist Alonso Arreola put out a mostly-instrumental album "LabA: Música horizontal" that features all the other La Barranca members as well as jazz musicians like Michael Manring, Trey Gunn, and David Fiucynski. Alex Otaola
released a solo project (also featuring appearances from La Barranca and Santa Sabina musicians) titled "Fractales" in August 2007. The "Fractales" music comes with video portions as well. Drummer "Chema" Arreola began work on a book.
In June 2007, Alonso Arreola announced that the group could not agree on matters essential to continuing on and that he would be leaving the band. Although not speaking for his brother or Alex Otaola, he indicated that they would likely leave the band as well. He was careful to point out that this was an amicable split and that Aguilera would be welcome to continue with new members should he so choose to.
Subsequently, Aguilera announced via the www.labarranca.com.mx website that the original trio of Aguilera, Fong, and Andre would reunite for a new La Barranca album in 2008. This album is named "Providencia", it was sold at first only through the official website. Providencia was soon joined by a companion album "Construcción", a collection of instrumental outtakes and demo versions of the tracks of "Providencia".
Mexico City
Mexico City is the Federal District , capital of Mexico and seat of the federal powers of the Mexican Union. It is a federal entity within Mexico which is not part of any one of the 31 Mexican states but belongs to the federation as a whole...
, they are led by guitarist and songwriter José Manuel Aguilera, who previously and concurrently worked with Sangre Azteka, Jaguares
Jaguares (rock band)
Jaguares is a Mexican alternative rock band formed by former Caifanes lead singer Saúl Hernández, ex-Caifan Alfonso André , and two long-time friends Federico Fong and José Manuel Aguilera .-History:...
, Cecilia Toussaint, Steven Brown/Nine Rain (Tuxedomoon
Tuxedomoon
Tuxedomoon is an experimental post-punk/New Wave group formed in San Francisco, California, consisting of core members Blaine L. Reininger, Steven Brown and Peter Principle....
), and more. He has an unusually economical style of playing that concentrates on great rhythms, superb tone, and very melodic solos. After the original lineup—Aguilera, Federico Fong
Federico Fong
Federico Fong is a member of several bands in Mexico and the United States:*Hip Hop Hoodíos*Jaguares*La Barranca*CaifanesBorn in Northern California's Bay Area in 1967 to a Panamian father of Chinese descent and an American mother, Fong relocated at a young age with his family to Mexico City where...
(bass), Alfonso Andre (drums), all of whom were guest members of Jaguares with former Caifanes
Caifanes
Caifanes is a Spanish-language rock band from Mexico City formed in 1987. They achieved fame throughout the late 80’s and early 90’s. The original lineup consisted of Saúl Hernández , Sabo Romo , Alfonso André and Diego Herrera . Argentine guitarist Alejandro Marcovich joined in 1989...
frontman Saúl Hernández
Saúl Hernández
Saúl Alfonso Hernández Estrada , is the former lead singer, songwriter and guitarist of Caifanes, a famous Mexican rock en español group formed in 1986.In 1996, Saúl Hernández sang a duet with Algerian raï singer Khaled...
--went its separate ways, a second version of the band included Santa Sabina
Santa Sabina (band)
Santa Sabina is a Mexican rock band originally from Mexico City. The group was formed in 1989 by singer Rita Guerrero, bassist Alfonso "Poncho" Figueroa, guitarist Pablo Valero and keyboardist Jacobo Lieberman. Juan Sebastian Lach was keyboardist for a while...
guitar virtuoso Alex Otaola
Alex Otaola
Alex Otaola is a rock and jazz musician from the Mexican capital Mexico City. During his career he has been a member of bands such as Santa Sabina and La Barranca. In 2007 he started a solo career.-Santa Sabina:...
and the extremely flexible rhythm section of brothers Jose María ("Chema") and Alonso Arreola. The band's sound effortlessly moves from flat out rock to fusion-ish jamming and passes through a kind of Mexican
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
folk influence along the way. Aguilera is a good singer with a talent for finding simple melodies amidst rather complex songs. On "El Fluir" the band decided to record live and to cut back on the keyboard and programmed additions to their music. Surprisingly, the result was not an over-the-top jamfest but rather a very tightly arranged set of songs that hinted at the overwhelming power they could possess in concert. The two guitar interplay between Aguilera and Otaola was highly impressive as they explored all forms of playing together and against one another (with Otaola pulling all sorts of radical sounds out of his guitar). "El Fluir" was their first US release since "Tempestad" in 1998. This edition was further sweetened by the inclusion of a previously unreleased bonus track and a video for the first single "Pare de Sufrir."
In 2007, the group went on hiatus in order to find new management and to allow time for solo projects. José Manuel Aguilera released a second project with Jaime López titled "No más héroes, por favor." Bassist Alonso Arreola put out a mostly-instrumental album "LabA: Música horizontal" that features all the other La Barranca members as well as jazz musicians like Michael Manring, Trey Gunn, and David Fiucynski. Alex Otaola
Alex Otaola
Alex Otaola is a rock and jazz musician from the Mexican capital Mexico City. During his career he has been a member of bands such as Santa Sabina and La Barranca. In 2007 he started a solo career.-Santa Sabina:...
released a solo project (also featuring appearances from La Barranca and Santa Sabina musicians) titled "Fractales" in August 2007. The "Fractales" music comes with video portions as well. Drummer "Chema" Arreola began work on a book.
In June 2007, Alonso Arreola announced that the group could not agree on matters essential to continuing on and that he would be leaving the band. Although not speaking for his brother or Alex Otaola, he indicated that they would likely leave the band as well. He was careful to point out that this was an amicable split and that Aguilera would be welcome to continue with new members should he so choose to.
Subsequently, Aguilera announced via the www.labarranca.com.mx website that the original trio of Aguilera, Fong, and Andre would reunite for a new La Barranca album in 2008. This album is named "Providencia", it was sold at first only through the official website. Providencia was soon joined by a companion album "Construcción", a collection of instrumental outtakes and demo versions of the tracks of "Providencia".
LP
- El fuego de la noche (1995, Opción Sónica-MCA).
- Tempestad (1997, BMG-Ariola).
- Rueda de los tiempos (1999, Universal-Discos Manicomio).
- Denzura (2002, MW Records).
- El Fluir (2005, Fractal Records).
- PЯOVIDEИCIA (2008, Louisiana Barranca).
- COИSTЯUCCIÓИ (2008, U. DE G).
- Piedad Ciudad (2010, Fonarte, Fonca).