Lila Downs and Quetzal Set High Standard for Latin Sound

The complacent acts that routinely dominate the Latin charts could have learned something about the real thing Monday at the John Anson Ford Amphitheatre. The emotionally charged performances by Los Angeles group Quetzal and Mexican-American singer Lila Downs demonstrated what quality Latin pop should sound like.

Both Quetzal and Downs--sharing the bill in a benefit for listener-sponsored radio station KPFK-FM (90.7)--make music that’s easy on the ears and deserves wider exposure. The path they follow bears a trace of non-Latin idioms (blues, jazz and rock) but remains faithful to traditional styles such as the bolero, the son jarocho, the huapango and the son cubano.

Although Downs’ musical explorations stress her Mexican and Indian heritage, her repertoire reflects an infatuation with all things Latin. Backed by a superb quartet, she switched from corridos to cumbias and ballads with a remarkable sense of purpose.

Downs becomes one with the characters of her songs, almost as if possessed by them. Her highly dramatic delivery makes her sound like a devilish cross between Mercedes Sosa and Yma Sumac. Her own compositions explore a new pop language, closer to Sting and Peter Gabriel than to Jose Alfredo Jimenez.

Quetzal is a sort of Chicano version of folk group Inti Illimani, with a raucous dash of Santana thrown in for good measure. The nine-piece group relies mostly on string instruments to weave its dense, delicate patterns, which benefit from the gutsy propulsion of singer-conguera Martha Gonzalez. Intriguing and sophisticated, this is one L.A.’s finest bands.