Ive always been particularly inspired by Irakeres work, and as a result, I frequently drown myself with their recordings. Their forward thinking approach to jazz set a whole new standard of excellence which still sounds fresh today. Their vast knowledge of Afro-Cuban musical traditions and cultural aesthetics centered their recordings with an organic authenticity that transcended straight-ahead dance music. Their bold integration of electronic sounds, rock backbeats, and distorted guitar saturated the music with an edgy modern aura that formed a bridge between several generations. Im always amazed with their musicianship; even after years of compulsive listening, I still hear new things on their recordings.
As I most recently revisited Irakere with a compulsive round of listening, I realized that I unfairly think of the group in the past tense. Irakere produced a number of influential albums between the early 1970s and the mid-1990s, and I often look back at that repertoire. Those recordings contain some important material, but the band continued to perform and record into the new millennium. When Im analyzing the bands performances, I generally consider the musicianship of the classic members - artists such as Chucho Valdes, Paquito DRivera, Arturo Sandoval, Carlos Del Puerto, Enrique Pla, and Carlos Emilio Morales. Looking at the greater history of Irakere, its important to remember that the band has housed an immense number of musicians over the years, showcasing a massive range of talent. Irakere represents a bigger piece of Cuban Jazz than the simple idea of an influential band; it stands as a fresh artistic collective that refuses to sit in a museum.
As I most recently revisited Irakere with a compulsive round of listening, I realized that I unfairly think of the group in the past tense. Irakere produced a number of influential albums between the early 1970s and the mid-1990s, and I often look back at that repertoire. Those recordings contain some important material, but the band continued to perform and record into the new millennium. When Im analyzing the bands performances, I generally consider the musicianship of the classic members - artists such as Chucho Valdes, Paquito DRivera, Arturo Sandoval, Carlos Del Puerto, Enrique Pla, and Carlos Emilio Morales. Looking at the greater history of Irakere, its important to remember that the band has housed an immense number of musicians over the years, showcasing a massive range of talent. Irakere represents a bigger piece of Cuban Jazz than the simple idea of an influential band; it stands as a fresh artistic collective that refuses to sit in a museum.
