Muna Zul CD

Muna Zul is a vocal trio hailing from Mexico, three young women (Sandra Cuevas Trejo, Dora Juarez Kiczkosky, and Leika Mochan Quesnel) with rich, able voices and, apparently, little taste or discrimination, preferring new-agey pabulum and hokey sound effects to an honest edge wherever possible. The disc's opener, "Voto de Silencio" is a pleasant enough, sing-songy piece, dragged down by an assortment of percussive vocal effects that remind one of an especially obnoxious variation on Bobby McFerrin. Worse, there's a "trumpet solo" by one of the singers. The most enjoyable track on the album is next, the traditional song, "La Llorona." Here, one does in fact hear something of the thrill and ecstasy of Mexican folk singing -- the trio freely and emotionally wringing the tune for all its worth (albeit with, once again, some rather cloying background singing). A traditional Arabic song, "Ghazali," follows and quickly descends into a faux-orientalism pastiche of nasal squeals and glottal ululations. Making sure to touch as many ethnic bases as possible, "Mujer de Trenza Azul" begins with a Hebrew invocation, and continues on in a manner that would shame the gauziest ECM production. "Water Sculptures," regrettably, brings us the first English lyrics, cosmic pap delivered in a sterile, quasi-bluesy style. The remainder of the pieces pretty much vacillate between the poles of embarrassing and competent, always performed professionally but soullessly, including an embarrassing rap pastiche. Some much needed and very pretty acoustic guitar appears on the penultimate track, "Desierto"; one that also features an attractive melody and is relatively underplayed by the trio; with "La Llorona," a nice enough song. Bafflingly, this album appears on a subset of Tzadik dedicated to experimental work by female musicians. Experimental, perhaps, by the standards of a Benetton ad campaign, but not by anyone with even an inkling about contemporary music. ~ Brian Olewnick

Recording information: Audioflot, Mexico City, Mexico (05/2003).

Arranger: Iraida Noriega.

Muna Zul: Leika Mochán Quesnel (vocals, piano); Sandra Cuevas Trejo, Dora Juárez Kiczkovsky (vocals).

Additional personnel: Federico Schmucler (vocals, guitar); Leonardo Heiblum (harmonica).

Blister Pack