On January 31st, 2012, Smithsonian Folkways shines the spotlight on the South American country of Uruguay, with Los Gauchos de Roldán's new self-titled album featuring the much-loved, little-known, down-home rural dance music of the region. Born in the gaucho ranching homelands of northern Uruguay, the multiracial genre combining accordion and guitar has been an important social tradition for families since the late 19th century. Watch this video to see studio footage and interviews with bandmembers Ricardo Cunha, Chichí Vidiella, Walter Roldán, Bernardo Sanguinetti, and Elvio Da Silva.

Los Gauchos de Roldán: Button Accordion and Bandoneón Music from Northern Uruguay is available on CD and Digital.

Accordions and guitars have enlivened the social life of cattle-herding gaucho families of northern Uruguay since the mid-1800s. On 'Los Gauchos de Roldán,' regional musical icon Walter Roldán pumps out time-honored polcas and chotis, Brazilian-tinged maxixas, and more on his button accordion as Chichí Vidiella adds the lush color of the bandoneón. Bernardo Sanguinetti's guitar and Richardo Cunha's percussive, deep-pitched guitarrón immerse the melodies in a rich nest of rhythms and harmonies, which formerly-exiled singer-songwriter Numa Moraes treats us to five gems of his repertoire. This album marks the 34th release in the Smithsonian Folkways Tradiciones/Traditions series since 2002.