Some Cuban fire from Ovi to warm the soul

Cuba’s rich musical heritage has made a huge impact around the world, from salsa to latin infused jazz through to the popularity of the Buena Vista Social Club. Just how abundant that heritage was surprised me even further on a cold rainy night in Bristol some weeks ago when the ...

Cuba’s rich musical heritage has made a huge impact around the world, from salsa to latin infused jazz through to the popularity of the Buena Vista Social Club. Just how abundant that heritage was surprised me even further on a cold rainy night in Bristol some weeks ago when the Creole Choir of Cuba gave an inspired performance at a local record shop. This 10-strong choir created beautiful, heartfelt, deeply textured harmonies that uplifted the soul, warmed the spirits and melted the inhibitions of the onlookers. One little girl in the crowd started dancing with the singers, quickly followed by other onlookers unable to resist their exuberant rhythms.

Formed over 15 years ago in Cuba’s 3rd largest city, Camagüey, the choir is known there as Desandann, meaning descendants – their forebears being Haitian migrants. Haitians first came to Cuba in the 18th century, taken as slaves to work the sugar plantations, with further waves of migration between the two world wars and after.

Singing mainly in Creole (a mixture of African languages, French and Spanish), their music is about the resistance, struggles and protest of these migrants, as well as their loves, joy of life and not to mention a good dollop of humour. As the Director of the choir, Emilia Diaz Chavéz, said, “We know how to have fun too!”.

The first song on their album, “Tande-La”, is called “Edem Chanté” – the English title they’ve given it is “Listen to Us” and listen to them you must for an insight into yet another, unexpected, facet to Cuba’s musical soul.

Check out their album “Tande-La” in the music store!

Source : http://blog.ovi.com/2011/02/21/some-cuban-fire-fro...