Merengue Tipico from the Dominican Republic

"Call the fire department!" shouts fiery accordionist/singer/composer La India Canela (Lidia María Hernández López) when her driving "country" quintet of accordion, tambora (drum), güira (metal rasp), alto saxophone, and electric bass hits its stride. Rooted in the mountainous Cibao region of the Dominican Republic, the merengue tipico's driving dance beat, aggressive improvisations, and down-home lyrics make it an irresistible Caribbean original. 32-page booklet, 55 minutes.