Ilé, by Omar Sosa

Ilé

by Omar Sosa

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Includes unlimited streaming of Ilé via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.

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1.	A Love Lost 04:13	buy track
2.	Momento I 02:08	buy track
3.	4U 03:55	buy track
4.	Mentiras Enemigas 03:51	buy track
5.	Momento II 06:50	buy track
6.	D Vuelta 06:36	buy track
7.	Old Afro A Baba 07:00	buy track
8.	Dame La Luz 08:35	buy track
9.	Momento III 03:42	buy track
10.	Sad Meeting 03:58	buy track
11.	Momento IV 02:21	buy track
12.	La Tarde 04:25	buy track
13.	Mi Conga 05:52	buy track
14.	A Love Lost Reprise 04:17	buy track

about

Since he emigrated from Cuba in 1993, Omar Sosa has forged a distinctive musical path, fusing an array of jazz, world music, hip-hop, and electronic elements with his Afro-Cuban roots. Omar’s newest recording, ilé, marks a homecoming for the 7-time GRAMMY-nominated pianist and composer to the Latin Jazz influences of his formative years in late ‘80s and early ‘90s Havana. During this period, Omar savored the music of Pancho Quinto, Lázaro Ross, Rubén González, Machito, Benny Moré, Ismael Rivera, Arsenio, Cachao, Lili Martinez, Peruchin, Chucho Valdés, and Irakere. Ilé means homeland in the Lucumí tradition of Cuba, derived from the Yoruba language of West Africa, and it is to the Latin Jazz roots of his native Cuba that Omar returns for inspiration on this new studio recording. Joining him on the project are three musicians with whom Omar shares a close connection: fellow Camagüeyanos, Ernesto Simpson on drums, and Leandro Saint-Hill on alto saxophone, flute and clarinet, and Mozambican electric electic bassist Childo Tomas – collectively known as Quarteto AfroCubano. These musicians speak the same musical language, using their Cuban and African traditions as a springboard for creative freedom. Special guests on the recording include Cuban percussionist Pedro Martinez, American guitarist Marvin Sewell, Cuban saxophonist Yosvany Terry, and maestro Eladio “Don Pancho” Terry, patriarch of the Terry family, on chekere. Featured on vocals is spoken word artist Kokayi. And, reflecting the influence of his extended residency in Barcelona, Omar showcases Flamenco vocalist José “El Salao” Martín on several tracks, including a version of Cuban trova composer Sindo Garay’s La Tarde. Ilé offers contemporary interpretations of some of the classic Cuban musical styles the world has come to admire. Listeners will enjoy a mix of ballads and sophisticated mid and up tempo arrangements. Also included is a set of four atmospheric interludes, featuring traditional music samples combined with improvised piano and soprano saxophone accompaniment. Overall, the compositional focus of the project is on ensemble playing. A noteworthy dimension is Omar’s use of the Fender Rhodes electric piano in equal measure with the acoustic grand piano.

credits

released August 28, 2023

Quarteto AfroCubano: Omar Sosa Piano, Fender Rhodes, Motif ES8, samplers, programming, Vocal Ernesto Simpson Drums, Vocal, Kalimba Childo Tomas Electric Bass, Kalimba, Vocal Leandro Saint-Hill Alto and Soprano Saxophone, Flute, Clarinet, Vocal Special Guests: Marvin Sewell Guitars (tracks 1, 4, 7, 8, 12) José “El Salao” Martín Vocals (tracks 4, 12, 13) Kokayi Vocals (tracks 1, 7) Pedro Martinez Percussion (tracks 4, 6, 7, 8, 12, 13) Yosvany Terry Soprano Saxophone (tracks 2, 5, 9, 11), Chekere (track 5) Eladio “Don Pancho” Terry Chekere (tracks 2, 9) Carlos “El Vikingo” Rondamas Palmas (tracks 1, 4, 8, 11, 12, 13), Cajón (tracks 1, 11) ZogaroS Vocal (track 1, 6) Lazaro Ros Vocal Sample (track 7) All compositions written and arranged by Omar Sosa, except track 6, La Tarde, written by Sindo Garay, arranged by Omar Sosa, (p) 2014 Sosafunke Music Publishing, BMI Produced by Omar Sosa Recorded, mixed and mastered at Systems Two, Brooklyn, NY Recording engineers, Max Ross and Rich Lamb Mixed by Max Ross and Omar Sosa Additional recording by Carlos Rondamas, Sowing Sound, Barcelona Graphic design by Tomas F Presas, www.dedosmagicos.com Executive producer, Scott Price Omar Sosa plays Yamaha pianos, and uses Yamahiko pick-ups Childo Tomas plays a Merlos bass guitar, and uses an Epifani bass amp Ernesto Simpson plays Yamaha drums, LP percussion, Murat Diril cymbals, Remo heads, and Vic Firth sticks Leandro Saint-Hill plays a System 54 alto saxophone, and Kay Siebold mouthpieces Pedrito Martinez plays LP percussion

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about

Omar Sosa Oakland, California

Composer, pianist, and bandleader Omar Sosa’s musical trajectory traces the Diaspora from Africa to Cuba and Brazil; from Central America to Ecuador’s African-descent communities; from San Francisco and New York to his current home base in Barcelona. True to his Afro-Cuban origins, Sosa fashions a spirited vision of uncompromising artistic generosity that embraces humanity at large. ... more