5 Raíces – Various Artists

Germán Velazco, in which he seeks to pay homage to the great rumba groups of Cuba, presenting in this recording those that have managed to remain relevant to the present. Afrocuba de Matanzas, Los Papines, Clave and Guaguancó, Muñequitos de Matanzas and Yoruba Andabo, are the main architects of this album, who perform  2 songs each and the opening and closing two songs that they share together. Undoubtedly a very attractive proposal for the audience of this genre which groups the best of our roots in one offering. 

© EGREM

This one kicks off with great promise, a very jazzy intro – great brass and piano- to a Salsa which perhaps ultimately doesn’t develop as far as it might have. No matter, within its 12 tracks and Rumba theme, I suspect most looking at this album will be more interested in what follows, a couple of tracks each from these well known groups. High points for me are La Jerigonza, I love the harmony of the coro, and the two Papines tracks. Perhaps a personal thing but some of these tracks are so busy, I can’t help think a little subtlety has been lost on the way. Absorbing and highly complex nevertheless.

© TimbaMerchant