The style of music heard here is that of the urban dwelling mestizos, people of mixed Spanish and Native American blood who comprise about 60% of the entire population of Panama. While Spanish and Portuguese domination of South and Central America had a generally destructive influence on native culture, in the field of music the European influences produced a rich harvest of new musical styles and contributed greatly to the creation of a new form of ethnic music that took root among the mestizos.

Danzas Panama is renowned throughout Panama for their performances at secular and religious celebrations, in small venues, such as restaurants, and large venues, such as the National Theater in Panama City. Perhaps because the group’s members are related by marriage, their performances transmit and endearing sense of warmth that exceeds mere musical connection. The instruments used in this recording include accordion, violin and guitar, as well as indigenous instruments, such as the five-stringed mehoranera, and various native percussion instruments, such as the tambor repicador, tambor pujador, caja, churuca and maracas.

“A terrific find.” – All Music Guide