World Music CD: Afro-Latin Party
What started out as an effort to provide the perfect soundtrack to a Latin dance party became a tribute to the global appreciation and realization of the musical ricochet between Cuba and Africa. Central to the Afro-Latin phenomenon is Africando, who provide three songs on Afro-Latin Party, each with a different African lead singer. In the 1960s and 1970s, the biggest names in African music were performing Latin music. Cultural exchange between Cuba and the socialist governments in Mali and other parts of West Africa was a regular phenomenon. In 1992, legendary Africando founders Ibrahim Sylla and Boncana Maga traveled to New York to record with top local salsa musicians, many who were taken by surprise by these Africans performing their phonetically learned Spanish lyrics. Many of the band members on the three Africando tracks here, also play on other tracks on Afro-Latin Party. It is not surprising to find Nuyorican Jos Mangual Jr. on the collection. His song, Ritmo con Ach celebrates the African roots in Latino culture, referring to the West African Yoruba word, ache – a divine life force from the santera religion, which blends West African spirituality and Catholicism. Nor is it a shock to hear Chico lvarez on the set. Probably best known for his highly respected New World Gallery program on WBAI radio in New York, here he sings Cgele el Gusto, a song made popular by Celia Cruz in the early 1960s. Things get interesting when Ska Cubanos Babalu – another tribute to santera – rings through the sound system. With old school Cuban players and a young, stylish ska singer from South London, this band is sure to make waves as Americans hear more from them in the future. Cubismo – whose presence on this album confirms the global reach of Afro-Latin music – is not only Croatias best salsa band, they pride themselves on being able to compete with the hottest groups out of New York or Havana. Portland, Oregons Pepe and the Bottle deck themselves out with an
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