Yo (Montuno Producciones/Concord Jazz, 2013)
Cuban pianist, keyboardist and composer Roberto Fonseca has worked with some of the biggest names in Cuban music such as Omara Portuondo, Ibrahim Ferrer and Buena Vista Social. Now, with his irresistible new solo album, Yo, Roberto Fonseca has become a worldwide sensation too. The album came out in 2012 in Europe and now it is available in North America.
Yo, which means “I” in Spanish, is a formidable recording, where Fonseca showcases his talent and sense of innovation. Although Fonseca is generally considered a jazz musician, his music crosses over dramatically into solid world music territory and beyond, caressing cutting edge electronica.
While other world class Cuban pianists are exploring traditional forms of jazz, flamenco and Latin jazz, Fonseca is a groundbreaker, incorporating the sounds of Africa, Cuban roots and carnival-like music, and the coolest electronic grooves, venturing into trip-hop.
Roberto Fonseca’s musical partners on Yo are equally striking. Yo features African musicians Baba Sissoko on African percussion and backing vocals, Etienne Mbappe on bass, Sekou Kouyate on kora, and Munir Hossn on guitar; Cubans instrumentalists Joel Hierrezuelo on Cuban percussion, Ramses Rodriguez on drums and Felipe Cabrera on double bass.
The guest vocalists include rai star Faudel, Malian sensation Fatoumata Diawara, talented Senegalese singer Assane Mboup and the spoken word of American artist Mike Ladd.
“This album unveils the beginning of a new phase more than the closure of an old one,”
describes Fonseca. “On Yo, I want to delve deep into my roots in light of my experiences and show the diversity of my musical universe, all these ideas which I had put aside, unable to use until now.”
Yo is a truly superb album by one of the most exhilarating Cuban artists of our time.
Buy Yo
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.
