Eva Ayllon steals Los Hijos show

Think of the voluptuous Eva Ayllon as an uncontrollable force of nature, wondrous and potentially devastating. A human tornado. A woman whose hip movements can make any man blush like a little boy and whose throaty, potent, chocolaty voice recalls the passion and intensity of Celia Cruz and Cesaria Evora.

Yes, Ayllon is a world music diva in the making. And her appearance Friday at UCLA’s Royce Hall as the vocalist with a revamped Los Hijos del Sol, the seminal group founded by percussionist Alex Acuna, was a revelation for those domestic fans of Afro-Peruvian music who believe the genre begins and ends with the mercurial Susana Baca.

In her native Peru, Ayllon is a household name. For decades her eclectic repertoire has drawn equally from the folklore of her land and contemporary pop idioms. Her talents are ideally suited for Acuna’s band, which seeks to bring Peruvian music into the 21st century.

Hijos was formed in 1989 and disbanded three years later, leaving behind two albums still considered cult items. Acuna’s decision to resurrect the group with a new record and tour makes sense, considering that stylistic cross-pollinations are de rigueur in today’s Latin music.

Joined by Ayllon and a 13-piece ensemble, Acuna delighted the capacity crowd with airy, mystically tinged sonics that were South American at heart while venturing freely into jazz, rock and funk territory. The bandleader shone on the drums, toying with tricky time signatures, unexpected accents and brief pyrotechnical solos.

Still, the evening belonged to Ayllon. Her rendition of Chabuca Granda standards such as “El Surco” and “Un Barco Ciego” were remarkably soulful. And the salsified “Animo y Aliento,” marked by Arturo Velasco’s excellent trombone work, demonstrated that this powerhouse diva can also shine in the realm of Afro-Cuban dance fever.