Que Vola: Que Vola?
Author: Jane Cornwell
View record and artist detailsRecord and Artist Details
Musicians: |
Bruno Ruder (p) |
Label: |
No Format! Records |
Magazine Review Date: |
March/2019 |
RecordDate: |
2018 |
Que Vola is a French-Cuban septet that evolved in Havana after French trombonist Fidel Fourneyman pitched up seeking inspiration and three recommended percussionists from the celebrated Osain del Monte, a group with deep spiritual roots and Facebook page that shows them posing with Will Smith and playing in the Rolling Stones’ Havana after-show. This debut sees the Yoruba chants of Cuban rumba, a mainstay of the syncretic Afro-Cuban Santeria religion, replaced with brass, and the spirit of Coltrane mingling with orisha deities, including the macho Chango, namechecked in opener ‘Kabiosilé’. There’s a sultry unhurriedness to the jazzy grooves of centrepiece ‘Calle Luz’, in which rumba’s guaguancó gets a five-note remake. Throughout, however, while grooves interlock satisfyingly, there’s nothing particularly new here; pure Cuban rumba – with its rootsy voice and drums (and dance) – is infinitely more arresting. Live, Que Vola may be more memorable: catch their UK debut alongside label mate Oumou Sangare at EartH in Hackney on 10 April.
Jazzwise Full Club
- Latest print and digital issues
- Digital archive since 1997
- Download tracks from bonus compilation albums throughout the year
- Reviews Database access
From £9.08 / month
SubscribeJazzwise Digital Club
- Latest digital issues
- Digital archive since 1997
- Download tracks from bonus compilation albums during the year
- Reviews Database access