DePedro, the first solo album from the man behind the name Jairo Zavala, and also the first full-length release for the newly minted Nat Geo Music label, comes out today. The album combines the Madrid native's varied influences with a particular North American bent. DePedro was recorded in Calexicos studios in Tucson, Ariz., and Calexico serves as the backing band for most of the record. Calexicos lead singer, Joey Burns, duets on several tracks.

"La Memoria," in particular, was written about the poverty and injustice Zavala saw when traveling in Mexico. You can download an mp3 of the track at www.natgeomusic.net

As a touring guitarist for Calexico, Zavala has toured around the world, most recently playing shows in the United States with the Decemberists and Andrew Bird. But his own material is on display, too: not only did he play at this years SXSW, but the songs hes written with Calexico (Victor Jaras Hands, for example, off last years Carried to Dust) are a constant part of the bands repertoire.

http://worlds-fair.net/depedro/
http://www.myspace.com/myspacedepedro
http://www.depedro.net/
http://worldmusic.nationalgeographic.com/view/page.basic/... (less info)