Afrocubism (World Circuit/Nonesuch, 2010)
After many years, the project of bringing together some of the finest Cuban and Malian musicians has become a reality. AfroCubism includes renowned Cuban musician Eliades Ochoa, who was the singer of the popular Buena Vista Social Club theme “Chan Chan; Malian ngoni master Bassekou Kouyate; acclaimed guitarist Djelimady Tounkara (Rail Band); Ochoa’s Grupo Patria, one of Cuba’s best known bands; kora virtuoso Toumani Diabaté; celebrated griot singer Kasse Mady Diabaté; and innovative bala (balafon) player Lassana Diabaté.
The music selection is a combination of Cuban and African vocal and instrumental pieces that capture the essence of Afro-Cuban, Malian and Cuban guajiro (country) music.
The whole album is excellent so it’s hard to point out highlights. Nevertheless, Eliades Ochoa and Djelimady Tounkara steal the show. Most people identify Eliades Ochoa because of his Cuban guajiro hat which some confuse with an American cowboy hat. Ochoa brings Cuban authenticity with his guitar and vocals and bits of humor in the lyrics. Djelimady Tounkara’s electric guitar is truly outstanding, with some of the finest African guitar licks I’ve heard in recent times.
“After we’d waited so long, it all came together remarkably easily and spontaneously,” says World Circuit’s Nick Gold, who produced the album, with the Buena Vista Social Club engineer Jerry Boys at his side. “The group had never played together before but the music just poured out and it continued to flow over the next few days.”
To celebrate the November 2 North American release of the AfroCubism album Afrocubism will perform on November 7 at Berklee Performance Center in Boston and November 9 at Town Hall in New York City.
AfroCubism is a prodigious recording that embraces and intertwines the finest roots music from Cuba and Mali.
Recordings available:
In North America:
- AfroCubism
- Eliades Ochoa: Buena Vista Social Club, Cubafrica (1998), Sublime Ilusión (1999); Tributo a Cuarteto Patria (2000) and Estoy Como Nunca (2002)
- Toumani Diabate: In the Heart of the Moon (2004), Ali and Toumani
(2010); Boulevard de l’Indépendance (2005), The Mandé Variations (2008), Kaira, Djelika, Kulanjan - Bassekou Kouyate: Segu Blue, I Speak Fula
- Djelimady Tounkara: Sigui (2001) and Solon Kono (2006)
In Europe:
- AfroCubism
- Eliades Ochoa: Buena Vista Social Club
- Toumani Diabate: In the Heart of the Moon (2004), Ali and Toumani(2010); Boulevard de l’Indépendance (2005)
- Bassekou Kouyate: Segu Blue, I Speak Fula
- Djelimady Tounkara: Solon Kono (2006)
Author: Angel Romero
Angel Romero y Ruiz has dedicated his life to musical exploration. His efforts included the creation of two online portals, worldmusiccentral.org and musicasdelmundo.com. In addition, Angel is the co-founder of the Transglobal World Music Chart, a panel of world music DJs and writers that celebrates global sounds. Furthermore, he delved into the record business, producing world music studio albums and compilations. His works have appeared on Alula Records, Ellipsis Arts, Indígena Records and Music of the World.
