Pacifika is a truly global trio. Silvana Kane is the lead singer from Peru, Adam Popowitz is the Canadian guitarist, and Toby Peter brings in his Barbados influence as bassist. Currently based in Canada, the three of them collaborate to produce what is the unique sound known as Pacifika, Spanish for “peaceful” but the “c” is changed to a “k”, evoking a lingual mix more representative of their music.
Their first album Asuncion was released in 2008 and gathered a lot of attention for their debut. It put them on the list of best new artists for iTunes Latino, won NPR’s Best Album of 2008, and among “Editor’s Picks” for Amazon.com. With SuperMagique being only their second album, it has potential to garner even more popularity. There’s a diverse mix of Latin influence, pop rhythms, Brazilian percussion, acoustics, drums, and electronic bursts, all set to Kane’s soothing voice in Spanish, English, and even French. As soon as “Close To Everything” begins, you know you’re in for a treat with the remaining twelve songs. It’s the perfect cheery, upbeat, yet soft opener sung in English that is sure to put you in a good mood with its catchy rhythm and chorus. The album then seamlessly alternates between Spanish and English, and with “La Matin” sung in French. “Ana Maria” has a very Latin-based feel with drumming and a flamenco tempo, making for a sultry dance track. Then there are quieter tracks like “Perlas” and “The Mariner” that showcase Kane’s calming voice as she sings ballads in a whisper-like tone against acoustics. There’s even a Chicago cover on the album: “25 Or 6 To 4” that is a fresh reinvention, bringing the signature Pacifika vibe to a classic hit.
SuperMagique is more than just a music album. It’s a multi-lingual, multi-cultural experience for listeners of every kind. There are fun, feel-good tracks as well as heartfelt, emotional ones- a well-rounded sophomore effort for Pacifika. It’s hard not to enjoy this album, with its ability to fuse diverse sounds and backgrounds together for all to enjoy. This is what is meant by “global music”.
By: Chelsea Olson
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