It is no exaggeration to say that Yma Sumac possesses the most extraordinary voice of our times. If it were but a vocal instrument it would be exciting, but this beautiful Ican princess plays her fabulous four-octave range with a variety of emotions, attitudes and tonal color that result in a unique and spellbinding experience. Horn high in the Peruvian Andes, a direst descendant of the last of the Incan kings, Yma Sumac spent early childhood literally "talking" with the birds, the beasts, the winds, the sounds of life and nature surrounding her little village of Ichocan.

While still a small girl she began taking part in the religious pageants and services of the sun worshipping Indians and became almost deified by them. Word of her phenomenal vocal powers reached Lima, the Peruvian capitol, and an official government delegation traveled into this remote mountain region to see and hear what they secretly believed to be a myth. Yma Sumac was real, however, and a few years later she was in Lima, studying, singing, maturing, becoming Peru's precious gift to the world

- from the liner notes to Voice of the Xtabay

More than 30 years ago, Yma Sumac and husband/producer Moises Vivanco created one of the biggest sensations of the music industry. Here for the first time on CD are the complete works of the Queen of Exotica. Available March 5, 1996, these Right Stuff/Capitol re-issues budget priced. In late March, there will also be a budget priced sampler from this series.

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