Rolando Chia - Sara Juega Y...

A hidden gem of Mexican acoustic minimalism and intimate guitar meditations.

Originally released in 1986 on the independent Al Ejandra label, Sara Juega Y... is a masterwork of "new acoustic" music from the heart of the Mexico City underground. Rolando Chía, a guitarist known for his distinctive use of unconventional tunings and delicate phrasing, crafted a world here that feels both deeply personal and universally resonant. The album sits in that rare, elusive space between the technical precision of classical guitar and the raw, emotive spirit of avant-garde folk—too "classical" for the rock scene, yet too "experimental" for the conservatory.

Recorded over two sessions in early 1986 at Rack Studios, the album is almost entirely composed and performed by Chía, whose strings evoke a "reflexive and melancholy" beauty reminiscent of artists like Eblen Macari or even the softer edges of Steve Hackett. The tracklist includes standout pieces like "Dentho" and "Carta para Marcel," as well as "Alman," a haunting interpretation of an anonymous piece from the historic Fitzwilliam Virginal Book. Accompanied on select tracks by second guitarist Armando Velasco, Chía’s work on Sara Juega Y... is a testament to the power of simplicity made eloquent. For collectors of ambient folk, solo guitar, or 80s Latin American rarities, this record remains a vital, "bruised" treasure of independent music.