Cienfuegos is a post-modern quintet that uses jazz, rock and contemporary music to create a unique sound that evokes magical realism, exciting improvisations, and incredible Mexican imagery. Cienfuegos proposes a current and inclusive way of seeing Mexican-ness, through cultural blending as members of a culture in constant movement and development. The band reflects current reality through their music, in which it is important that past and present concepts both exist. The folkloric music of Mexico is diverse and often distant from the current reality, therefore Cienfuegos pushes to shorten this distance and create an encounter with contemporary music, specifically jazz and rock.
In search of their voice, the band uses various compositional resources, sometimes individual and sometimes collective, focusing on the ideas that best express the message. Whether it is the opposition to the war with the narco in the north of the country, or the light / dark duality expressed in the Jaguar ancient history, Cienfuegos finds inspiration and seeks to mutate the forms and the compasses to adapt them to the language they have developed as a creative entity.
After two acclaimed albums - Cienfuegos and Bestiario Sonoro - Cienfuegos continues their explorative journey. While the first self titled album introduced the dual concepts of history and present day, Bestiario Sonoro explored the pre-hispanic cosmovision of Mexico and observation of current reality.
The band’s third studio album, Natura Elemental is a series of compositions inspired by the natural elements. Seeking to express the most important sentiments of the human condition through understanding of nature. A vast array of auditory metaphors are used to portray the relationship between man and nature and humans’ impact on our natural surroundings. The pieces developed for Natura Elemental bring forth Cienfuegos’ trademark for high quality musicality, while incorporating new sounds for the band such as two pieces with voice and lyrics as well as traditional Mexican instruments. The work becomes dynamic, inventive and innovating.
Natura Elemental is set for release via Ropeadope SUR on March 20, 2020