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Omar Sosa Quarteto AfroCubano: ilé
ByIlé finds Sosa looking back to Camagüey, Cuba. He populates this album with musicians who hail from said localedrummer Ernesto Simpson, multi-reedist Leandro Saint-Hill, and guests like Eladio "Don Pancho" Terry and Yosvany Terrybut listeners shouldn't be fooled into thinking that this is a tradition-minded trip down memory lane. Sosa may nod toward traditions here and elsewhere in his discography, but he's never been one to be handcuffed by strictures and structures. A broad-minded approach to Latin music, jazz, and world affairs of the aural variety have always positioned Sosa as a sonic spirit guide, not a purveyor of pure traditionalism, and this album furthers that line of thinking.
A signature blend of mysticism, jazz, Afro-Cuban aphorisms, samples, world music(s), and beyond-category sounds is at the heart of this quartet-plus-guests project. There are peppy productions that speak to the Cuban spirit ("Dame La Luz (Give Me Light)"); cabalistic concoctions that combine sampled street noise, a sense of mystery, percussion, flute, guitar, and vocals from spoken word artist Kokayi and Italian singer ZogaroS ("A Love Lost"); calmly flowing pacifiers ("4U"); and flamenco-inflected numberspieces that look at old world traditions with a modernist mentalitythat feature Jose "El Salao" Martin's vocals ("Mentiras Enemigas (Enemy Lies)"). In addition to those compositions, Sosa peppers "Momento" tracksimprovised pieces featuring samples, his own playing, and the Terrysthroughout the album.
Across this entire journey, Sosa works with the same sense of grace and creativity that informs the best of his work. Some artists make it appear that their music is born through hard labor, but Omar Sosa never gives off that impression. He seems to conjure his music out of thin air. He leaves his hard work out of view, choosing only to show and share magical end products like ilé.
Track Listing
A Love Lost; Momento I; 4U; Mentiras Enigmas (Enemy Lies); Momento II; D Vuelta (The Return); Old Afro A Baba; Dame La Luz (Give Me Light); Momento III; Sad Meeting; Momento IV; La Tarde; Mi Conga; A Love Lost Reprise (To My Late Mother).
Personnel
Omar Sosa
pianoOmar Sosa: piano, Fender Rhodes, Motif ES8, samplers, vocals; Ernesto Simpson: drums, vocals, kalimba; Childo Tomas: electric bass, kalimba, vocals; Leandro Saint-Hill: alto saxophone, soprano saxophone, flute, clarinet, vocals; Marvin Sewell: guitar (1, 4, 7, 8, 12); Jose "El Salao" Martin: vocals (4, 12, 13); Kokayi: vocals (1, 7); ZogaroS: vocals (1, 6); Lazaro Ross: vocals sample (7); Pedro Martinez: percussion (4, 6-8, 12, 13); Yosvanny Terry: soprano saxophone (2, 5, 9, 11), chekere (5); Eladio "Don Poncho" Terry: chekere (2, 9); Carlos "El Vikingo" Ronda.
Album information
Title: ilé | Year Released: 2015 | Record Label: Ota Records
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