In Lak Ech – Mujeres Con Palabra

In Lak EchIN LAK ECH – the inspirational Los Angeles, California based performance poetry collective of women – released their debut CD through Xicano Records & Film on August 14, 2007, which was also produced by Martha Gonzalez of Quetzal. Titled “Mujeres Con Palabra” (Women of & with Word) this 20 track CD is a look into mind, heart and soul of Xicana (Chicana) women.

In Lak Ech is a Meso-American concept meaning “you are my other me” tu eres mi otro yo. In the flesh, In Lak Ech is a performance poetry collective composed of Liza Cohen Hita, Marisol L. Torres, Felicia Montes, Claudia A. Mercado, Cristina Gorocica Gallegos, Rachel Thorson Veliz and Marlene Beltran, all Xicana multi-media artists, writers, mothers, teachers, and organizers uniting to tell Her-story through poetry and song: in xochitl, in cuicatl. Their words & songs are used to bring awareness and empowerment to the issues of women, family, humanity, and mother earth. Based in Los Angeles, California, the women of In Lak Ech not only perform poetry and song but also organize cultural celebrations, participate in conferences, and conduct workshops for diverse communities. These performances are used as tools for expression, healing, communication, and organizing at various community centers, festivals, high schools, universities, and indigenous ceremonies.

Since ’97 the women of In Lak Ech have been performing spoken word, singing songs, and telling herstory from the concrete jungle of Los Angeles to the jungles of Chiapas. Their latest CD Mujeres Con Palabra (Women of & with Word) is the product and documentation of those 10 years.

“In Lak Ech will blow you away. In the tradition of Sweet Honey in the Rock, they are fierce warrior women who, like our ancestors, do battle with poetry and song, and thrown in the mix, some humor that also keeps us strong. !Adelante, Xicanas!” – Ana Castillo, author of Massacre of the Dreamers and So Far From God

“I am impressed at a heart level with the work of In Lak Ech because it responds to a Xicana-Indi­genismo thirty-five years in the making. Blending Northern Native musical influences with Southern Indi­gena filosofi­a, the CD celebrates the myriad spiritual and political roads Xicanas have walked to acquire a living uncompromised identity and cultural practice in the United States.” – Cherrie Moraga, author of The Last Generation and Loving In the War Years

Release Date: August 26, 2008
Record Label: Xican@ Records & Film and Nomadic Sound System

Website: InLakEch.net

Track Listing:

  1. Intro
  2. In Lak Ech Song
  3. Over-Compensating Xicana Complex
  4. Gina Cochina
  5. I Live
  6. Connection
  7. M.A.Ch.O. Meeting
  8. La Tonantinza
  9. Love Song
  10. Mujer De Maiz
  11. Know Your Enemy
  12. Pass The Peace
  13. Mi Abuelita
  14. Tayecana
  15. To My Desert Homeland
  16. Lover Moon
  17. Coyolxauhqui Song
  18. Independence Day
  19. Woman Song
  20. Outro