From SPIN THE GLOBE World Music CD Reviews, Nov 2005
VOCAL BAOBAB: YORUBA DREAM-AFRO-CUBAN CHANTS (ARC Music EUCD 1965)
A fine collection of songs to the Orishas, the representatives of the
divine in the Yoruba tradition that spread from West Africa to Cuba,
Haiti, Brazil, and beyond. Cuba is said to have the purest form, called
Santeria or La Regla de Ocha. That's the history and spirit; the sound
is primarily call-and-response vocals over polyrhythmic percussion
featuring the sacred bata drums, though a bit of piano sneaks in as
well, as on the melodic, flowing tribute to ocean goddess Yemaya. The
recording is crisp and clear and the music tight, overall an inspired
and inspiring recording.
Vocal
Baobab’s
first CD release went straight to the top of several DJ charts on US
radio as well as earning airplay time in the UK (played
on BBC Radio 3 by Andy Kershaw in his programme and Lucy Duran in World
Routes) and across continental Europe.
Buy now from www.arcmusic.co.uk
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