Omar Sosa Quarteto Afro Cubano: Ilé

Rating: ★★★

Record and Artist Details

Musicians:

Zogaros (v)
Carlos ‘El Vikingo’ Ronda (perc)
Ernesto Simpson (d)
Yosvany Terry (as woodblocks, bells)
Pedro Martinez (perc)
Lazaro Ross (v)
Childo Thomas (b)
Kokayi (v)
Leandro Saint-Hill (as, ss, fl cl, v)
Marvin Sewell (g)
Eladio ‘Don Pancho’ Terry (perc)
Jose ‘El Salao’ Martin (v)
Omar Sosa (p, ky, prog, elec)

Label:

Ota

July/2015

Catalogue Number:

1027

RecordDate:

2014

As inventive as he is prolific, Sosa continues to probe the outer reaches of Afro-Cuban traditions and belief systems all the while stretching latin jazz far beyond recognised templates. Occasionally, this can lead to work that is so stylistically plural as to be a touch unwieldy, but this new offering, built around the core quartet anchored by the excellent drummer Ernesto Simpson, is one of the most coherent Sosa has made for many years. The deeply folkloric base of the music is enriched by rhythmic and textural input that reflects Sosa's engagement with electronica, hip-hop, post-MBase improvisation and a host of global musics. However two guest vocalists provide the highlights on a set that is very consistent: the superlative flamenco singer El Salao and livewire rapper Kokayi. They both deliver startling performances that raise the energy levels, and certainly in the case of the latter, bring a sharp political resonance to the songbook. Sosa is a major figure in Afro-Cuban music with a truly contemporary edge and this latest release consolidates his status.

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