“Los Guisados de la Berenjena” (2006) – Aman Aman * Trad. * Album: Música i Cants Sefardis D’Orient i Occident * Label: Galileo MC
Aman Aman are a side project by Mara Aranda and Efrén López, whose Catalonian group L’Ham de Foc (“the fire hook” in Catalan) got their names in circulation among Spanish and world music listeners. The offshoot enabled the two to explore the music of the Sephardic Jews, who had spread out into Eastern Europe, the Middle East, and North Africa after their expulsion from Spain in the 15th Century. It’s a musical trail that’s rich with distinct traditions and enchanting sounds. Their opulent version of the old song “Los Guisados de la Berenjena” describes seven ways to prepare eggplant, a Sephardic suppertime staple. Other versions of the song, from days of yore, are known to give as many as thirty-five different recipes. A repeating phrase between each verse gives a nod to “Uncle Cerasí,” who enjoys “wine, wine, and wine.”