AfroCubism

Afrocubism is a collective of Cuban and Malian musicians brought together by World Circuit Records producer Nick Gold. Gold's original idea in the 1990s was to enlist Cuban musicians, Ry Cooder, Malian ngoni master Bassekou Kouyate, and electric guitarist Djelimady Tounkara. Due to visa snafus, that recording session never happened; the Cubans and Cooder recorded and the end result was the now legendary Buena Vista Social Club album. Though it took over a decade, Gold persisted in pursuit of his concept. He eventually assembled a stellar group of musicians from both countries. Afrocubism is fronted by lead vocalist and acoustic guitarist Eliades Ochoa. His long celebrated Grupo Patria make up the majority of the Cuban players in this large band. The Malians are led by Kouyate and Tounkara, and are joined by vocalist Kassé-Mady Diabaté, balafon maestro Lassana Diabaté, and world-renowned kora player Toumani Diabaté, with Baba Sissoko on talking drum, among others. The group's self-titled album was released in October of 2010, and met with widespread critical acclaim. A European tour followed. ~ Thom Jurek, Rovi