Okan – Okantomi (Lulaworld Records, 2023)
Okan’s third album, Okantomi on Lulaworld Records in 2023, is infused with the profound influence of their African heritage, encapsulating the intricate connection that Elizabeth Rodriguez and Magdelys Savigne share with Cuba.
In Okantomi, the duo seamlessly mixes Afro-Cuban elements such as sacred Lacumi chants and rhythms with skillful jazz, high energy rock and elegant western classical performances. The group successfully incorporates various irresistible Cuban dance rhythms, and one song in particular crosses over into the fabulous Afro-Cuban progressive rock inspired by the legendary Cuban band Sintesis.
Band leaders Rodriguez and Savigne provide the groundwork for guest appearances by Cuban heavyweights across generations. Notable contributions come from vocalist Dayme Arocena, guitarist Elmer Ferrer, pianist Miguel de Amas (N.G. La Banda), bassist Roberto Riveron (Klimax, Cubanismo), and renowned classical violinist Lara St. John.
Building on their growth as composers and performers since the JUNO-winning Espiral release in 2020, Rodriguez and Savigne delve into the complexities of their connection to their homeland, addressing the heartache caused by ongoing political and economic challenges in Cuba. Additionally, they reflect on their experiences as Latina immigrants in a country marked by inherent inequities and contradictions in issues of racism and human rights.
Throughout the diverse tracks on the album, there is a cohesive intention to pay homage to the orishas (orichas) or deities of the Santeria religion through Okan’s contemporary artistic expression. Elizabeth clarifies, “The various tracks of the album explore our connections to the different deities who guide us in the different aspects of our lives. For example, the album begins with a song for Eleguá, the spirit who governs pathways and crossroads, and who represents beginnings. Eleguá had to come first. Another song, ‘Oshun’ [Ochún], is dedicated to my goddess and who is associated with love, fertility, and abundance. That song was written at a time when I was newly pregnant and still dealing emotionally with a recent miscarriage. It was born out of fear of losing another pregnancy and in the song, I appeal to Oshun for protection.
“Most of the songs reflect the personal growth that in retrospect we can see that we’ve both undergone as we’ve dealt with miscarriages, disappointments and just the general struggle to survive as artists.”
Elizabeth sheds light on how the premier single, La Reina del Norte, came to fruition. “I came up with the violin line while performing at a classical festival last year. I wanted to mix our classical music training with popular styles from our Cuban homeland. (In school in Cuba, we were discouraged from playing music that was considered by the institution to be from the countryside or from the street.) Playing three strings at the same time on the violin is pretty hard on its own. Doing it while dancing and moving my butt is even harder! The song highlights the conga genre from Santiago de Cuba, allowing us to fulfill the mission that we have set ourselves to preserve and celebrate traditional Cuban forms, while reinventing this particular genre and giving it a modern twist through the synth lines, violin, and instrumentation.”
Regarding the sixth track, Elizabeth Rodríguez and Savingne stated: “The 6th track ‘No Volvi’ is a perfect example of the deep ambivalence that we feel about our homeland. In the song, we’re saying we won’t go back, that we won’t deal with repression that the government inflicts on the people of Cuba anymore. But at the same time we know that our whole world, all our experiences and the way we react to them are shaped by our identity as Cubans and our Afro-Latin heritage.”
With vocals in Spanish, English and Spanglish, Okan is led by the Cuban-born violinist and vocalist Elizabeth Rodriguez and percussionist and vocalist Magdelys Savigne. Their discography includes: Laberinto EP (2018) winner of 2 IMA Awards; Sombras (2019); Espiral (2020), winner of 2021 JUNO award for best world music recording; ‘Yemaya (Ile Ladde)’ single, 2021; ‘Iglu’ single, July 2023; and Okantomi (2023).
Musicians: Magdelys Savigne, leader, composer vocals, percussion; Elizabeth Rodriguez, leader, composer vocals, violin; Roberto Riveron on bass; Frank Martinez on drums; Jeremy Ledbetter on piano, keyboards; and Miguel de Armas on synthesizer.
Buy Okantomi.
Author: Iliana Cabrera
