What’s the best import from Cuba? Cigars, baseball players or music? Singer/composer/arranger Dayme Arocena makes a good argument for the latter on this very impressive release. Associated with Jane Bunnett’s latest group, she’s got an earthy lilt to her voice that evokes memories of Cesaria Evora with a mix of traditional sounds and folk flavor. She p lays almost all of the instruments here, which consist of various percussion instruments, piano and B3 organ while various horn and rhythm section players join in for the thoughtful “Don’t Unplug My Body” and plaintive “Crystal.” She mixes solo voice with choral chants which serve as a basis for the beat on the intriguing “Madres” and a bowed bass delivers a melancholy mood to “Dust.” She clicks her tongue to create a pulse along with the B3 on the soulful “El Ruso” and she makes the title track mix sounds of the local church choir team up with folk cries, linking the heart of Cuba with its soul. Rich and impressive first foray.
Brownswood Recordings