RELEASED ON 15.3.2024 ON MR BONGO
CATALOGUE NUMBER MRBLP289
Led by Chucho Valdes, son of Cuban pianist and bandleader Bebo Valdes, the
band would go on to become of the most influential and successful groups
emanating from Cuba in this period. Their debut 'Teatro Amadeo Roldan Recital'
is an in- demand and incredible Afro- Cuban, jazz- funk masterpiece originally
landing on Cuba's state-owned imprint, Areito.
One of the jewels of the album is the beast of an opener, 'Bacalao Con Pan'. A
heavy dancefloor Latin-funk burner, with ripping Wah-Wah guitar, a blistering mix
of Latin percussive elements and horns firing on all cylinders. It's a song which
builds and breaks with an energy and power that still lights up the dance to this
very day.
The album is a varied bag of tricks, traversing moods, styles and genres whilst
melding traditional rhythms with more contemporary mindsets. Take the
delectable downtempo ballad 'Danza Naniga' or 'Valle Picadura' that starts on a
similar tip, before erupting into a horn heavy heater. Move through to find 'Taka
Taka Ta' where Afro- Cuban jazz, call and response vocals and brain- busting
organs marry in steamy unison.
Elsewhere, continuing this melting pot of musical influences, the prog/
psychedelic rock leaning 'Quindiambo', expertly combines traditional Latin music
with psych rock in a similar way to Santana. 'Misaluba' is another highlight, a
cover version of a song by the British-Italian based group Cyan, written by Mario &
Giosy Capuano, making it their own with this tripped- out, percussion- rich
makeover.
As debuts go, Grupo Irakere's 'Teatro Amadeo Roldan Recital' is about as good as
it gets and gives a snapshot of Cuba in the mid '70s, with a band that were
destined for big things.
Tracks:
1. Bacalao Con Pan
2. Danza Naniga
3. Valle Picadura
4. Taka Taka Ta
5. La Verdad
6. Luisa
7. Quindiambo
8. Misaluba