This song was occasionally used in concert although obviously performed as a duet with Cholita [Rivero] since there is extensive over-dubbing of Yma on this recorded version.  This is interesting program music that offers a few new vocal effects that Yma frequently used in live performances.

As a whole, "Wakai" is one of the most interesting songs on the album and merits repeated hearings.  It is also one of the few pieces in which Yma chants in authentic Quechua.  Sung almost entirely in her contralto register, Ymas tonal quality is by turns breathy, tremblingly weak and solidly focused.  At times an influence of Blues and Spirituals is evident.  The range of the A minor song is a conservative - two octaves from a strong, deep contralto A to a light pianissimo, floated, soprano high A.

The song begins with Yma singing the melody in her lower register, accompanied by guitar and drums.  Soon, however, she is singing a trio with herself as the tempo accellerates.  Tempo constantly fluctuates in this song and sets up distinct sections of fragmented singing.  Most notable is a fascinating section of weeping phrases interspersed with authentic, spoken Quechua that is effective for Yma's various shadings of tone and text.  There is a distinct sense of Yma's involvement in this song that goes beyond being merely an effect.