CD review Eternamente Omara
Warner Music, September 2025
The title of this new album by Cuban singer Omara Portuondo, suggests the signing off of a love letter, reminiscent of Pablo Milanes’ famous song Yolanda. It feels not just a love letter from Omara to her beloved people but also for Omara, wishing her well on her journey from now. Inside the cover reveals the dreamy painting The meeting by Cuban artist Manuel Mendive, now 80 himself, and his personal message to Omara, wishing her “pure air and diverse flowers”.
Omara was born in Havana in 1930, to her white mother and black father who defied pre-revolution apartheid and gave her a love of singing. Her artistic career spans more than 75 years, starting as a dancer but quickly becoming a fundamental voice in the evolution of the romantic filin (feeling) style, combining the emotional depth of the bolero with the harmonies of jazz and Cuban son. She shared stages with the greats like Edith Piaf, Rita Montaner, Benny More, Nat King Cole, Ernesto Lecuona, and Arsenio Rodriguez and went on to many more rich collaborations. She has been described as a complete performer – possessing swing, technique and heart.
This new album has musical direction by the star Cuban pianist Roberto Fonseca who brings an up to date jazz vibe to the set, as well as maintaining respect for the roots of son and filin. He spent many years touring with Omara as the pianist with the Buena Vista Social Club so he knows her style and genius intimately.
Cuban classics such as Soy tan feliz by Benny More, Lamento cubano by Eliseo Grenet and the strong opener Por eso yo soy cubano are clear stand-out tracks, and the album is blessed with genuinely touching collaborations with artists such as Cuba s Silvio Rodriguez, and the young Spanish singer Nathy Peluso on the timeless Quizas. Quizas, Quizas. The closing track is a quite brilliant take on the classic Guantanamera, graced with an emotional verse in Yoruba (also the language of Afro-Cuban religion) written and performed by the African superstar Anjelique Kidjo.
Fonseca s sparkling playing (easily matching his own solo output) and innovative arrangements give room for us to enjoy the talents of the cream of the current island music scene, such as drummer Ruly Herrera of The Real Project and bassist Yandy Martinez.
There is a clear theme throughout of a life well lived - Omara brings pride, lost love, regret, devotion and making peace with oneself - and her voice is impressively strong on every piece, retaining the ability to express the soul and emotions of a song. This is no Buena Vista rehash: whether you want to relax, dream or dance, Eternamente Omara stands as a testament to the grand dame Portuondo s inspirational talent.
Dave Willetts
