World Circuit record label have now realised their dream project with the release of AfroCubism. Nick Gold, the head of World Circuit, was inspired to start a collaboration of musicians from Mali and Cuba back in 1996. The studio was booked but the sessions never took place. Ironically, a bunch of older Cuban performers filled that studio slot whom the world got to know as the Buena Vista Social Club. Fast forward to 2010…Nick Gold finally gets his chance to do it how he wanted to.
AfroCubism features some of the best performers in their field including Cuba’s Eliades Ochoa and his band Grupo Patria, Malian Kora player Toumani Diabaté, Super Rail Band guitarist Djelimady Tounkara, as well as Bassekou Kouyate, Kasse Mady Diabaté and Lassana Diabaté.
There is such a laid back air to the sessions that you can’t help but kick back and let it roll over you. There is an instant connection between musicians that could easily fool a listener into the belief that the players have all been jamming together for years…they naturally roll in and out of solos allowing everyone to partake in the glory. Like BVSC there are no fancy egos in the line-up. Each and everyone of them speaks and dreams the language of music and you know they’re enjoying the experience!
Out of the 17 tracks recorded over five days 14 make it onto the album. The blending of these two musical cultures is so rewarding to listen to and must surely be a world music classic for the future, if not now!
Buy CD: AfroCubism