Pavel Urkiza – Regreso a la tierra (self-release, 2022)
Cuban musician Pavel Urkiza returns to his roots on “Regreso a la tierra.” It is a flavorful journey of reunions and masterful collaborations with a truly impressive cast of some of the finest artists from Cuba. Although some of these guests still live on the island, others moved overseas and are currently settled in Spain, the USA and other countries. Moreover, the album features transcontinental sessions made in Spain, Cuba, the USA, Canada, Argentina, and Iran.
Regreso a la tierra features a delightful set of songs grounded in Cuban traditions, such as son cubano, nueva trova, timba, mambo and other captivating genres. However, Urkiza is an innovator and fusionist. He has created new musical forms, combining Cuban, Spanish and blues traditions: Filin progresivo, Guaguancó Flamenco, Tango flamenco con Son, Bolero Filin, Bomba-Makuta, Timba Funk, Chacha-Blues, and Trova-Jazz.
Musicians on Regreso a la tierra: Iván “Melon” Lewis on piano, keyboards; Yadam González on bass; Fernando Favier on drawer; Diego “El negro” Álvarez on congas, cumaco, clarín, laure, tambourine; Pavel Urkiza on lead and backing vocals, Spanish and acoustic guitars, ukulele, claps, shaker, loop, timple, vocals, mvet, sanza, keyboards; Luis Bofil on vocals and backing vocals; Pepe Rivero on piano; Eduardo Céspedes on bass, backing vocals; Armando Arce “Pututi” on drums; Totó Noriega on congas, bongos, cajón, chekeréke; Carlos Puig-Hatem on trumpet 1 and 2 flügelhorn; Julio Montalvo on trombone; Roque Martínez on alto sax; Virginia Quesada on backing vocals; Yoriel Carmona on tres; Yorgis Goiricelaya on baby bass; Alfredo Chacón on congas, timbales, maracas, bell, jembe, darbuka; Michel Ferré on Rhodes, piano; Yadam González on bass; Yissy García on drums; Mahan Mirarab on electric guitar; Yisel Duque on backing vocals; Luis Beltrán “El rosca” on alto sax and flute; Fernando Favier on cajón, clapping; Javier Márquez on bansuri, soprano sax; Iván Ruiz Machado on bass and baby bass; Adonis González on piano; IIvette Falcón on cello; Beatriz Vera on violin; Jesus Manuel Carnero on viola; Roberto Hernández on bongos; Jabel Kanuteh on vocals, kora; Marco Zanotti on mbira, pandeiro; Bobby Badjang on drums; Michel Mbarga on balafon, electric guitar; Carlos Manuel Alvarez on rap; Yisel Duque on backing vocals; Carlos Iraola on trumpet; Guillermo Roig on tenor sax; Boris Larramendi on vocals, backing vocals; Massimo Valentini on soprano and baritone saxes; Sol Ruiz on vocals, backing vocals; Inez Barlatier on vocals, backing vocals; Vanya Allen on vocals, rap, backing vocals; Dafnis Prieto on drums; Emmanuel Trifilio on bandoneon; and Haydée Milanés on vocals.
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.