Pacha Wakay Munan El Tiempo Quiere Cantar

Buh Records is pleased to present “El tiempo quiere cantar”, debut album by Pacha Wakay Munan, a duo formed by Peruvian musicians and researchers Dimitri Manga Chávez and Ricardo López Alca. The production explores the sonic possibilities of pre-Hispanic instruments within a contemporary musical context.

Pre-Hispanic musical instruments have been discovered in archaeological contexts throughout the Andes and the Peruvian coast. Chimú whistling vessels, Nasca antaras, and pututos used in ceremonies still retain their original structures, yet their sounds remain largely unknown due to the absence of written records detailing their use and performance.

In “El tiempo quiere cantar”, Pacha Wakay Munan seeks to reclaim these instruments, not just as artifacts of study but as active tools for musical creation. Through performance, the duo explores their timbre, frequency interactions, and their ability to generate new dialogues within contemporary music-making.

The album's repertoire consists of pieces that explore various sonic landscapes and musical concepts. “Pacha Wakay Munanqa” introduces the diverse timbral qualities of the instruments used. “El Taki Onkoy” draws inspiration from historical narratives and the meaning of its name ("Sick Song"), taking as its base a Culina chant documented by Rodolfo Holzmann. “Mundo Posible” is a reinterpretation of an improvisational session with musicologist Chalena Vásquez Rodríguez, where the piano interacts with ceramic antaras.



Other pieces delve into the sonic construction of these instruments in relation to their cultural contexts. “Machu Tara” explores the concept of tara, a harsh and vibrant sonic quality present in certain Andean musical traditions. “Túpac Huaca” references the Huaca Aliaga in Lima, creating a sound palette that brings together pututos, whistling vessels, and quenas. “Agua, Cuarzo y Viento” introduces quartz sikus and singing bowls in different tunings, evoking the interaction between natural elements and resonant vibrations.



“El tiempo quiere cantar” does not seek to reconstruct a lost sound, but rather to document and expand the capabilities of these instruments in a contemporary setting, ensuring their possibilities continue to be studied and heard in the future.



“El tiempo quiere cantar” is released by Buh Records in digital format and as a limited-edition 300-copy vinyl pressing. Produced by Dimitri Manga Chávez and Ricardo López Alca. Mixed and post-produced by Louis Schofield Del Castillo. Mastered by Aldo Gilardi. Artwork and design by Gonzalo de Montreuil.