- Out of the prolific musical output from Cuba comes a fresh twenty-first century collection of exclamatory but soulful mambo, reminiscent of the banda gigante (big bands) of the 1940s and '50s. Orquesta Akokan is their self- titled debut and the first Spanish language release for Daptone Records.
Recorded in November 2016 over three days in Havana’s famed Areito Studio 101 inside the EGREM recording complex in the center of Havana, Cuba, these nine original compositions arranged by Mike Eckroth were produced by Jacob Plasse who’s gathered up over a dozen of some the finest older and young-gun musicians on the island. Led by Cuban vocalist Jose “Pepito” Gomez, this outfit draws on the signature elements of son cubano and mambo popular with dance audiences made famous by the likes of Perez Prado, Beny More, Arsenio Rodriguez, Celia Cruz and more recently Buena Vista Social Club.
Sets that anchor the rhythm section with a rich brass ensemble of assertive trumpet blasts and sax driven montunos are under pinned with the swinging tumbao of the congas, added with the sparkling soar and swoop of pianist Cesar “Pupy” Pedrosa and of course, the melodic tres. This collective is more than just an accompaniment to the 1970’s “salsa dura” stylings of Jose “Pepito” Gomez’s vocals. With players coming from renowned groups the likes of Los Van Van and Irakere, this first outing of original tunes can truly be seen as a heartfelt gift.
Akokan is the Yoruba word in Cuba for “from the heart” and as Daptone Records’ first Latin music release adds to the label’s soul of Sharon Jones and Charles Bradley as well as the afro soul and afrobeat from stable mates The Budos Band and Antibalas whose founder Martin Perna, to use a chef’s analogy, describes Orquesta Akokan’s signing as part of “a perfect kitchen from which to serve this captivating baile between old and new – una sopa levantamuertos ( Soup to raise the dead).” Take your pick of the deeply soulful mambos, incantations offering Tabaco for the gods, humorous dance floor warnings to men to watch out for the tumbador, the conga player, because he will steal your girl, Orquesta Akokan is sure to get dance floors a blazing! “con Akokan”.
- Rick Heritage.