Daymé Arocena is quite the talent. Immediately I was captivated by her athletic voice, command of vocal phrasing and the complex arrangements of songs with instrumental underpinning that cannot be fully appreciated without the benefit of several listening sessions. If Arocena is not the heir apparent of one Celia Cruz, I’ll be more than surprised. The album is just that good! A fundamental understanding of Santería, Cuba’s religious/spiritual system would also benefit the listener. Either way, this album is likely to appeal to anyone who resonates with music well-recorded and performed. –Jonathan
Album: Cubafonia, Brownwood Recordings, 2017
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