Raices Africanas [Live]

Amazon.com
This is a fine introduction to the strong cultural foundation that underlies much of Cuban popular music. The dynamic Grupo Afrocuba ensemble of dancers, drummers, and singers perform roots music of their northern Cuban home. On this release they sing and play sacred songs of their ancestor-revering Santeria religion, invoking the deities that guard the way to the afterlife, and allowing them to seek advice and to gain insights from those who have gone before. Afrocuba have also adapted the instrumentation of the sacred songs to cover more secular issues, inventing a new form, the Batarumba (named for the hourglass shaped bata drums). Raices Africanas is Afrocuba's first full-length recording since their founding over 30 years ago. They have brought their generations of experience into play on this CD, overlaying complex rhythms with memorable call and response singing. The drums rumble and mutter, then push and compel. The singers voices, sometimes plaintive, then rising in glorious harmony, sing of spiritual matters, as well as the joys and sorrows of life--and always with deep pride in their living, vibrant cultural heritage. --Jeff Grubb

Tracks:

Caridad
Ogun
Oshun
Chango
Ananu
Elegua
Palo
Pa' Los Mayores
Enigue Nigue
Rumba Columbia
Brikamo
Abakua
Baila Mi Guaguanco

Amazon.com

This is a fine introduction to the strong cultural foundation that underlies much of Cuban popular music. The dynamic Grupo Afrocuba ensemble of dancers, drummers, and singers perform roots music of their northern Cuban home. On this release they sing and play sacred songs of their ancestor-revering Santeria religion, invoking the deities that guard the way to the afterlife, and allowing them to seek advice and to gain insights from those who have gone before. Afrocuba have also adapted the instrumentation of the sacred songs to cover more secular issues, inventing a new form, the Batarumba (named for the hourglass shaped bata drums). Raices Africanas is Afrocuba's first full-length recording since their founding over 30 years ago. They have brought their generations of experience into play on this CD, overlaying complex rhythms with memorable call and response singing. The drums rumble and mutter, then push and compel. The singers voices, sometimes plaintive, then rising in glorious harmony, sing of spiritual matters, as well as the joys and sorrows of life--and always with deep pride in their living, vibrant cultural heritage. --Jeff Grubb

Customer Reviews:

The Sweet Drums survive well... Aché!.......2007-06-14

I am Cuban, here since 1959, still a political exile. I am not, but 85% of my family are musicians, popular and classical. So, it has been rather easy for me to note that since the Castro revolution of 1959 Cuban music, actually all the arts, took a deep dive. For the worse. Extreme induced poverty and extreme socio-political repression are not conducive to creativity. This CD, however, shows that, at least, Santeria music, and its variations, has not only remained intact, but that it has flourished, likely because of the Africanization of Cuba, after 1959. Basically, Santeria music is drum music. Vocals are of secondary importance. Accordingly, this kind of music essentially depends on the quality of the percussion. This is a kind of sound, given the various drums used, guiros and guatacas, that does not usually record well. This CD, however, comes very close to the Sweet Sound. If you have not heard it, and you like good percussion, buy this CD. You will like it. Aché to all!

Great introduction to a sophisticated tradition.......2001-09-17

Raices Africanas is a great introduction to the African-Cuban musical tradition. The cd covers various styles of this tradition. In line with other African derived forms of music, the listener is able to hear the interplay between the instruments and the vocalist(s). The cd covers various styles of this musical tradition ranging from Rhumba to the male initiation anthem Abakua. This collection by Grupo Afro-Cuba is excellent for students of music, collectors of African derived music or people who just enjoy good music. The varied tracks in this collection invoke feelings of joy, pride and dancefloor fun. A must for anyone with a love for drumming and great music.

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