Zesty Baca Displays Peruvian Folk Roots

Singer Susana Baca has a three-part persona: mature mistress, nurturing mother and good-humored sister. Her dark eyes sparkle with warmth and zest, her sensuous dancing can conjure a thousand spirits, and her voice, hot and pure, could heal the most defeated of souls. This middle-aged Peruvian puts to shame the ubiquitous pop starlets who base their careers on glamorous magazine covers and carefully lit videos.

On Friday at the Conga Room, Baca appeared to be having as much fun as the capacity audience, which stood entranced as she performed the earthy tunes from her recent album “Eco de sombras.” “Eres un tesoro, Susana,” a fervent young lady yelled during a brief moment between songs--”You’re a treasure.”

A treasure indeed. Baca’s devotion to exploring the black roots of South American music has finally paid off. Once regarded as anthropological studies that were of scholarly interest only, her material has gotten as close to the mainstream as adventurous South American folk is ever likely to be.

Baca’s voice is the most bewitching element of her music. Still, the contribution of her four-piece band was especially notable on Friday. The ensemble’s sound was light and meaty at the same time, supported on the rootsy thumping of the upright bass and the Peruvian cajones, embellished by chameleonic guitar lines.