"El gran Circo": The album that defined ska in Mexico. Albums to listen to before you die

"El gran Circo": The album that defined ska in Mexico (Maldita Vecindad)

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Published in 02-04-2025

4. Maldita vecindad y los hijos del quinto patio. "El circo" (1991). Second album by this band, which was part of a generation that put Mexican rock on the world map. This work offers us a powerful ska, with good lyrics that perfectly portrayed the "chilanga banda." Pachucos, traffic lights, street magicians and more are included in this sonic gem. The album begins with the energetic and frenetic "Pachuco," with the great Tin-Tan included. Later, a good mix of funk, ska and rap is heard in "Un poco de sangre" and the good vibes of "Toño" arrive with his trumpet sounding throughout the city.

el gran circo maldita vecindad

"El gran circo": The masterpiece of Maldita Vecindad and the Children of the Fifth Courtyard

Mysticism is present with "Solin", which is a great song that reminds us of characters from yesteryear like Kaliman and Solin. Romance arrives with "Kumbala", which makes reference to the dance halls that raffled in the old D.F. The harsh social reality is reflected with "Un gran circo", which explains the daily life of the great city that is the capital of Mexico. Then we get a mood lift with "Pata de perro", a song that brings nostalgia remembering the friends from the corner, and how each one of them takes their own path, highlighting the one "who decided to travel". And we couldn't forget to mention the inevitable "Crudelia", which probably more than one of the kind readers has had to experience.

"Mare" arrives, where a provincial (from Yucatan) is amazed by the monster city and even throws some bombs with Armando Manzanero himself. The album closes with "Querida", a cover of the diva from Juarez, which makes us dance and sing, with singular joy. Without a doubt, it is worth highlighting in this work on paper the great Sax (RIP), who with his saxophone and Roko's voice gave a distinctive seal to the band. Let us then enjoy this great album, worth listening to before we die.


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