Last Friday as I was riding the bullet (the fast train) to work, I was flipping through a copy of the Metro, the free newspaper distributed at all the train stations in London.
In the entertainment pages was a spread on this Cuban rap group called Orishas.
Of course, I read every word of the article, absorbed by the review/preview; they were performing in London this weekend. I am now seriously disappointed that I didn't know in advance, since I have rampaged through the iTunes Music Store, and now find myself enthralled with this unique music.
In the Metro article they’re described as:
“And so the disparate sounds of these separate cultures, in these alchemists’ hands, turn into something that sounds natural and organic, something that works in front of Latino, hip hop, pop or rock audiences and that serves as a vehicle for their pointed social commentaries.”
I have kind of backward engineered my now passionate attraction to this music. I read about their London gig in the Metro, then as I was searching the iTunes music store (and Kazaa) for Orisha music, their stuff just started coming up. So after two days of buying and downloadings, I have fallen in love with their sound, their flow, their musicality.
The four-man group started in the late-90s, by two young Cubans, Ruzzo and Youtel. They moved from the island to Paris, in a rapper exchange programme and once they grew to their current configuration, released A Lo Cubano, in 2000.
What moved me is on their debut album, they open with a benedicion... a mojuba. An old santero chants his praises for the Orishas in turn. Once he's done, such a blend of music occurs that it's hard to distracted by the fact that I have very little idea what these dudes are singing about.
Article comments
1 - lono
This band is phenomenal! Someone made me a copy of 'A lo Cubano' almost a year ago and it gets more play on my system than anything else I know. I also don't throw a party without them in the mix... if not them dominating it.
The music is beautiful and powerful. I think I described to a friend last weekend as cuban gangster salsa rap.
I know that is a sloppy label, but it makes sense if you hear the music. I don't have a lot of latin music, sadly. Mostly the obvious staples of Santana and Gypsy Kings. These guys are the third wave.
2 - Henry Gomez
I'm a big fan of Orishas. The group is actually composed of 3 artists. They have had guest vocals on some their tracks. One of them is the singer Guitarist Roldan and the others are the rappers. The new release "el kilo" is excellent I picked it up in Spain in Mid March. By the way it's also available on itunes in the states. The difference bewteen El Kilo and the other two albums is that this latest release has more instrumentation and is more melodic than the previous albums. A lo cubano, the firsst album was break-through. The follow-up emigrante is good but not great. With El Kilo, Orishas return to their prior great form.
Enjoy the album. I did while I was driving from town to twon in central Spain.
3 - Angie
Orishas new album is killer - and I love that they collaborated with Cuban American rapper Pitbull on the song "Quien Te Dijo" on the U.S. release. Their album is SO much fun!!!
4 - sonja valentine
A Lo Cubano is a great album -
nice to see a review of them here
5 - Roberto
Orishas are seriously one of the best kept secrets in the music world. I'm surprised that they're not more popular in the mainstream here in North America. But the funny thing is, that when asking people (especially latinos) around here, they all seem to know about this awesome group, the other day I was walking in downtown Edmonton, Canada with my girlfriend and I heard a car drive by playing Orishas in their system...it was crazy! I have all 3 albums, I bought the first one back in 2000 when I heard a track while shopping in of those trendy designer clothes and have been in love with their music ever since. I sorely miss Flaco Pro though (member who left the group after the first album)...he had mad skills! PEACE
6 - last
I like the production of the 1st album A lo Cubano ,
The 2 others El quilo and emigrante seems to overproduced for me...
Hope the next one will be more experimental .
Keep it unreal - Respect .
7 - frank carlos
saludos de san felipe bueno cerca de ahi talves mi papa te dijo que estoy en miami me gutaria contactar con Roldan este es mi numero de telf.954-253-2931 por favor llamame saludos a tus hermanos Roldan estoy muy contento por su nominacion a los grammy .espero recibir respuestas tuyas bye .
8 - nektarios zigouris,greece
Great band with excelent albums.A lo cubano was a surprising debut followed by an enchanting emigrante.El kilo shows the maturity of the group in compatibillity with their fresh ideas,lyrics and very good cuban voices and melody.lOOKING FORWARD FOR A NEW ALBUM