This record is a
significant crossing. Firstly, it is
significant as a
tribute to the legendary
singer Hector Lavoe who first made Willie
Colon's "Che Che Cole" a dance
hit for Fania Records in 1969. It is
a crossing of generations --a venture
by
a young group
of musicians into the undying sound of
those who came before them in a long
seamless tradition
of music.
Stylistically, of course, it is also a crossing
into the Latin genre for the Antibalas Afrobeat
Orchestra, a group steeped in the Afrobeat
traditions of Nigerian legend Fela Kuti.
It is lastly a crossing in that it is the
first collaboration in name between Antibalas
and Daptone Records, two families of the
same clan. As it is widely known, there is
a strong family of musicians in Brooklyn
who have been on the cutting edge of the
Soul, Funk, and Afrobeat movement for the
past few years. Though the lines between
the groups often blur and confound, the ties
between them strengthen and the result is
a hot spot of raw musical inertia giving
birth to an unequaled output of soulful music.
As Daptone´s first venture into Latin
and Afrobeat (as well as their first 12" release), "Che
Che Cole" promises to be a milestone
in the progress of modern Soul Music. The
A side is an innovative culmination of classic
late sixties Afro-Cuban dance and tight razor´s
edge afrobeat syncopation. However, the
featured vocal by Mayra Vega is the shining
jewel
that elevates the whole recording to
the major league of dancefloor classics.
The
B side is a makossa version of the same,
a la Manu Dibango, complete with rubbery
wah-wah and locomotive hi-hat driven
makossa beat. Either side is as appropriate
for
the living room record afficionados as
it is
for the DJ who is ready to reach a new
climax in a room full of sweaty party
goers.
"
Vamos todos a bailar al estilo africano si
no lo sabes bailar yo te enseñaré mi
hermano..."
-Hector Lavoe |
