Irka Mateo y la Tirindanga – Vamo a Gozá (Irka Mateo, 2017)
Irka Mateo, one of the innovators of Dominican roots music, has released Vamo a Gozá, an album that focuses on accordion genres. Irka’s music is a lively melting pot of influences and dance rhythms where tradition meets modern urban life. She incorporates and mixes various traditional Dominican beats along with rhythms from other Caribbean cultures such as ska from Jamaica, champeta from coastal Colombia, compa from Haiti, cumbia from Colombia, and other music styles as well: soukous from Congo, South American tango, Nigerian Afrobeat, samba reggae from Brazil and American reggae.
The artists that participated in Vamo a Gozá include Irka Mateo on lead and backing vocals; Yasser Tejeda on guitars and backing vocals; Danny Blume on baritone guitar; Plinio de la Cruz on guitars; Mary Spencer Knapp on accordion, organ and harmonium; Leo Pimentel on accordion; José Fermin Ceballos on accordion; Miche Molina on accordion; Kyle Miles on bass; Junio Felix on bass; Otoniel Vargas on drums; Otoniel Nicolás on drums; Isidro Bobadilla on percussion; Joel Guzman on percussion; Mario Castro on saxophone; José Luis Armengot on trumpet; Yenny Núñez on backing vocals; and Carolina Núñez on backing vocals.
On Vamo a Gozá, Irma Mateo showcases an irresistible fusion of genres that includes lesser known Dominican music rhythms: congo, bomba de la sarandunga, puya, mangulina, salve, and carabiné.
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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.
