Kumbajei

Amazon.com
Long a dedicated student of musical tradition and technique, Dominican musician Xiomara Fortuna finds a deep yet modern Afro-Dominican groove on Kumbajei. Horns, bells, and keyboards accent meaty bass lines. An array of drums serves to underscore and pattern a framework for Fortuna's rich alto as well as a full chorus of voices. Somewhere between slinky jazz and street-party music, Fortuna's compositions employ multiple layers of melody and counter melody. The chorus at times echoes her earthy alto or biting breath in call-and-response; at others it takes its own line of vocal attack, essentially becoming another melodic rhythm instrument in the mix. "Baisabi"--a cut that may be familiar to listeners from its inclusion on Putumayo Presents Latinas--blends original composition with field-research found-rhythm as well as a traditional tune sung by itinerant flower vendors. Harmonica lends a swampy blue tone to the effective and uneasily categorized "Leyenda Congo" wherein Fortuna's sultry vocal is twinned by electric guitar. And the extraordinary "Arrullo de Agua Pa Solei" postures the exotic chanteuse as trippy folk-balladeer. Kumbajei, while it misses (most often when the horns smooth too far out), hits more often, making for a compelling listen. --Paige La Grone

Kumbajei,Xiomara Fortuna,Circular Moves,Int'l & World Music,International,Pop,World Music

Average customer rating: Montecristi's Shining Star BOMBA Life force

Kumbajei Xiomara Fortuna Manufacturer: Circular Moves ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | International | Styles | Music General | International | Indie Music | Stores | Music ASIN: B00005AU79 Release Date: 2001-05-08

Tracks:

1. Kumbajei
2. Baisabi
3. Ya Vendran
4. Mama Ella
5. Letania
6. Saquemos Al Sol
7. Leyenda Congo
8. Oxumare
9. An Ale
10. Juana La Loca
11. Arrullo De Agua Pa' Soleil
12. La Napa

Amazon.com

Long a dedicated student of musical tradition and technique, Dominican musician Xiomara Fortuna finds a deep yet modern Afro-Dominican groove on Kumbajei. Horns, bells, and keyboards accent meaty bass lines. An array of drums serves to underscore and pattern a framework for Fortuna's rich alto as well as a full chorus of voices. Somewhere between slinky jazz and street-party music, Fortuna's compositions employ multiple layers of melody and counter melody. The chorus at times echoes her earthy alto or biting breath in call-and-response; at others it takes its own line of vocal attack, essentially becoming another melodic rhythm instrument in the mix. "Baisabi"--a cut that may be familiar to listeners from its inclusion on Putumayo Presents Latinas--blends original composition with field-research found-rhythm as well as a traditional tune sung by itinerant flower vendors. Harmonica lends a swampy blue tone to the effective and uneasily categorized "Leyenda Congo" wherein Fortuna's sultry vocal is twinned by electric guitar. And the extraordinary "Arrullo de Agua Pa Solei" postures the exotic chanteuse as trippy folk-balladeer. Kumbajei, while it misses (most often when the horns smooth too far out), hits more often, making for a compelling listen. --Paige La Grone

Customer Reviews:

Montecristi's Shining Star.......2006-07-17

When I first heard Xiomara Fortuna's voice I knew I was listening to a musical innovator, an amazing breath of fresh air in the polished & generic "latin" scene. Xiomara is not a part of any scene really, she just happens to be Dominicana but doesn't do merengue, bachata or salsa. She would do pri pri or salve before those aforementioned styles, which are two very little known Dominican folk musics which she does incorporate. But in actuality, she incorporates a lil bit of everything, even Trujillo's beloved merengue, on her album "Kumbajei." I'm a little hyped cuz I saw her stellar performance last night at S.O.B's in Nueva York, a very rare show indeed as Xiomara doesn't play much in The States. But I heard her back in 2004 I believe and the song that really struck me was "Baisabi" which is a merengue of sorts, just done her own way. Evrey song on Kumbajei is excellant. Her Afro Dominican roots come at the forefront of her sound, which is heavy on African sing song style and percussion, as well as a very rock and World oriented groove which moves her music so well. It would be a lie to say fans of say, Juan Luis Guerra, would enjoy this album. Although Guerra was one of the first mainstream Dominican artists to recognize his African roots, Xiomara DWELLS in them and absorbs Africa as much as La Republica in her sound. This album, and all of her work for that matter, are the best World music period that I've heard. Sure, you can mess with good ol Davey and Luaka Bop but Xiomara Fortuna is a hidden gem, please get into her sound before it's picked up by "them" those who really do not know nor fully appreciate!

BOMBA.......2001-09-04

What a bomba this album, since I got it my friends and I havent stop dancing, everytime I find something new and wonderfull, its full of surprises, in musical terms and in the beautiful lyrics. My friends and I don't stop listening, my mother's got the fever too. Fortuna has a great voice and her music is quite different from what I had heard from the D.R.

Life force.......2001-09-04

This is one of the best recent Caribbean music I've heard, a great surprise coming from the Dominican Republic, I thougth all it had was merengue, these rythms in Kumbajei take you to dream places and still keep you somewhere inside your heart... The music is contagiuos but still it keeps a tremendous LIFE FORCE full of misticism. I just love it! and would love to see this unknown new singer live!

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