Grupo Irakere: Grupo Irakere - CD review
Irakere is an Afro-Cuban jazz group with legendary status. Founded in 1973 by pianist Chucho Valdés, the group based its pioneering sound on a combination of traditional Cuban roots – the sacred drums and songs of both Yoruba and Congo tradition, with modern jazz, rock, funk and sometimes classical music. The mix also incorporated synthesisers, electric piano, guitar and bass, and even kit drums – virtually unknown in Cuban dance music at that point. This was entirely due to the new music schools where it was possible to hear all these styles emerging from practice rooms. Chucho heard the sound of modern Cuba and set about building a band capable of realising his vision.
And what a band. Paquito D’Rivera – a world class tenor player, as well as doubling on Coltrane-style soprano; Carlos Averhoff with a gruff, funky baritone sax as well as classical and jazz flute; Arturo Sandoval on trumpet alongside the equally supreme Jorge Varona; Oscar Valdés, who had spent his youth learning Yoruba batá drumming as well as making traditional drums featured on vocals (he wasn’t even the drummer!); superb conga player Jorge Alfonso; and Enrique Pla who virtually invented Cuban kit drumming, vital to the next generation of timba groups. Others, also at the peak of musicianship, contributed to what Cubans still call the “university” of Cuban music. As the line-up changed, other musicians joined the Irakere family, not least the flautist ‘El Tosco’ who went on to found NG La Banda and the unmatched conga player Angá.
Chucho himself is still one of the greatest jazz pianists and band leaders, seen on a par with Duke Ellington. His solo would run from stride to bop via Chopin and ragtime, moving with ease across all styles whilst still remaining truly Cuban. As a composer he hit the heights with his Black Mass, a vital piece at the heart of the island’s musical art.
Luckily for us, the Mr Bongo label has now re-released a key album, Grupo Irakere. Originally released in Cuba in 1976, at this point they were hitting their stride and the cornerstone tracks Juana 1600 and Iya have the group flying with traditional Yoruba and Congo drums underpinning the stunning lines and solos. These two pieces formed the basis of their live shows which were soon to be heard across the world, including at the Newport and Montreux Jazz festivals. Other highlights are Chekere Son where the band manage to invent the rhythm that laid the ground for the contemporary Timba groove and Este Camino Largo, a jazz ballad duo matching the golden age of jazz. Oscar Valdés shows his rumba chops in the sparkling Xiomara and the gorgeous bolero En Nosotros is another highlight in a sublime set which remains a significant work in the history of Cuban music as well as a highly enjoyable album.
The original cover art by Jesús Terry, a drawing of the instruments which made up the Irakere sound has, fittingly, the lead batá drum in the centre.
Dave Willetts for CubaSi Winter 23-24 magazine
