Omara Portuondo – Vida (One World Records, 2023)
Omara Portuondo, the Cuban grand lady of ‘filin,’ has released her superb latest album, “Vida” in 2023. At 90 years old, Omara found herself confined in Havana due to the pandemic, temporarily suspending her tours. However, her love for music and empathy for humanity drove her to deliver a deeply moving message through this album. Omara invited her long-time friends and colleagues to participate in the long-distance project, creating a well deserved appreciation to her musical legacy.
“Vida” features a remarkable lineup of legendary singers who accompany Omara to deliver exquisite, unforgettable, and timeless songs. The album reflects Omara’s innermost thoughts and emotions, encapsulating an era burdened by the weight of tribulations. In the face of a relentless pandemic and the insidious systemic racism and violence, Omara’s indomitable spirit persists, radiating a resolute optimism and a graceful nod to the essence of existence itself.
The ballads “Silencio” (silence), “No puedo ser feliz” (I can’t be happy) and “Duele” (it hurts) illustrate Omara’s soulful and bittersweet thoughts during this challenging period.
Omara was also deeply disheartened and unsettled by the murder of George Floyd, and divinely protested in support of Black Lives Matter by singing “Now” again. The song was originally sung by American actress, singer, and civil rights activist Lena Horne in 1963, and Omara made it famous in Cuba in the 70s.
Duos on the album that celebrate Omara’s perpetual optimistic spirit include “Bolero a la Vida” (bolero to life) performed with Guatemalan singer-songwriter and guitarist Gaby Moreno. It received a Latin Grammy nomination.
On the delightful “Honrar la Vida” (honoring life) Omara teams up with salsa star and actor Rubén Blades.
“Se Feliz” (be happy) is a collaboration with acclaimed bluesman Keb’ Mo’.
Meanwhile, on “Gracias a la vida” (thanks to life) Omara joins forces with Mexican singer Natalia Lafourcade.
The joyful “Con 2 que se quieran” (with two that love each other) is a celebratory song featuring fellow Cubans fAmaury Pérez and Alexander Abreu.
Ariel Jiménez Portuondo, Omara’s son, has diligently attended to his mother’s career and comfort over the course of the past two decades. In a demonstration of his unwavering commitment, he undertook the task of organizing the recordings for “Vida.” His meticulous efforts led him to discover an ideal artistic producer in the form of Gaby Moreno, a gifted singer-songwriter hailing from Guatemala. Notably, Moreno’s gentle and compassionate nature mirrors that of Omara, forging a profound connection between the two.
“Vida” stands as a profound testament to Omara’s illustrious musical legacy, serving as a vivid reminder of the timeless allure inherent in Cuban music.
Buy Vida.
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.