Lo Ke Ba – Delirio (Yeti Boy Records, 2022)
Lo Ke Ba has released “Delirio”, an album of original Cuban music that features a tasty and irresistible combination of musical genres from the Cuban melting pot. Indeed, styles featured include salsa, timba, son cubano, cha cha chá, rumba, batá and bembe.
“Delirio” grew from a 20-year musical exchange between British and Cuban musicians. Since 2002, percussionist Rich Kensington has traveled from Croydon, England, to spend time with his teacher, friend and mentor Chaguito (Santiago Garzón Rill) in Havana, Cuba.
Ten years after Rich Kensington’s first trip, he sat on the roof of the Hotel Lincoln in Havana with acclaimed bongosero (bongo player) Frank ‘El Matador’ Oropesa. Frank said: “It’s good to have spent all of these years coming to Cuba to learn our traditions but now you must make the music your own“.
Shortly after recording with Rich in the studio of El Septeto Nacional de Ignacio Piñero, Cuban singer Adriana Lord moved from Cuba to the UK. After establishing herself as a vocalist in the UK music scene, Adriana connected again with Rich and the two artists started composing music, joined by Matt Baker on piano.
Matt also traveled to Cuba to meet and work with Chaguito in Havana to get ideas for the album. He brought back Chaguito’s words and melodies as well as various events that took place while he was there.
“Delirio”, composed by Adriana, Rich and Matt includes eight songs, sung in both Spanish and English.
The Axis Trio, which includes Rich and Dave Boston on bongos and batá and Simon Bowhill on timbales and batá, form the percussive unit of Lo Ke Ba. The album also features performances by Colombian singer and percussionist Rodry-Go, trumpeter Giovanni Siveroni and trombonist Landy Díaz as well as Dimitris Christopoulos on bass and Nichola Pope on baritone saxophone.
The cover design is by Cuban artist, RAUPA.
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.