Azabache (feat. Raúl Beron)

Miguel Calo's 'Azabache,' featuring Raúl Beron, is a poignant tribute to the cultural and historical essence of Buenos Aires, particularly the San Telmo neighborhood. The song is steeped in the rhythms of candombe, a traditional Afro-Uruguayan music and dance form that has deep roots in the African slave communities of South America. The lyrics evoke a sense of nostalgia for a bygone era, where the streets of San Telmo were alive with the vibrant beats of candombe, a symbol of cultural identity and resilience.

The repetition of phrases like 'Candombe candombe negro' and 'Por las calles de San Telmo' underscores the deep connection between the music and the place. The imagery of 'Retumba con sangre y tumba' and 'Grito exclavo del recuerdo' paints a vivid picture of the historical struggles and the enduring spirit of the Afro-Argentine community. The song's melancholic tone reflects a longing for the past, a time when the candombe was a prominent feature of Buenos Aires' cultural landscape.

The personal touch in the lyrics, with references to 'molenita' and the vivid descriptions of her eyes and movements, adds a layer of intimate nostalgia. The use of 'azabache' (jet black) to describe her eyes and 'sueño de chocolate' (chocolate dream) to describe her beauty, infuses the song with a rich, sensory quality. This personal narrative intertwines with the broader cultural memory, creating a tapestry of longing and remembrance. The lament that 'Ya se ha perdido el candombe' signifies a loss of cultural heritage, a poignant reminder of the changes that time brings to communities and traditions.