Omar Sosa has released Live à FIP, his first live, ensemble CD, featuring a Quintet comprised of bass, drums, percussion and saxophone. Recorded at Radio France in Paris in front of a live, studio audience, Live à FIP offers new interpretations of many of the compositions from Sosa’s 2006 CD, Mulatos, as well as a number of new pieces. FIP is an acronym for France Inter Paris, part of the Radio France broadcasting network.
Joining Sosa for the May 12, 2005 date, and recording together for the first time, are regular Sosa collaborators (the late) Angá Díaz (Cuba) on percussion, Childo Tomas (Mozambique) on electric bass and vocals, and Luis Depestre (Cuba) on saxophones. Completing the ensemble is Paris-based drummer, Steve Argüelles (UK), who produced the award-winning Mulatos (OTA1014) and the follow-up Mulatos Remix (OTA1016).
Compositions from Mulatos include “Nuevo Manto” and “Dos Caminos”, as well as the sweetly lilting “Iyawo”, and the haunting “El Consenso”. New material includes “Métisse” and “Paralelo”, both part of Sosa’s recent touring repertoire, and “African Sunrise”, featuring Childo Tomas’ African vocals and m’bira (known as a “thumb piano”). Closing the recording is a rousing version of one of Sosa’s signature encores, “Muévete En D”, featuring the Angá Díaz on cajon (a wooden “box” drum).
Percussionist Angá Díaz was renowned for his contributions with influential Cuban artists, Irakere, the Afro Cuban All Stars, Rubén González, and Cachaíto López, as well as acclaimed U.S. trumpeter, Roy Hargrove. On Live à FIP, listeners are treated to Angá’s artistry on congas, cajon and bongo. The recording is dedicated to his memory.
Childo Tomas recently made his U.S. performing debut, joining Sosa for shows at Yoshi’s in Oakland and the new Arturo Sandoval Jazz Club in Miami.
Buy Live à FIP.
Author: World Music Central News Room
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