Search - Grupo Ilu Ana :: Sacred Rhythms

The real deal

06/10/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This fantastic 1995 folkloric recording was made in Canada while several folkloric artists were participating in performances and workshops at the BANFF arts center. Led by percussionist Regino Jiménez (Musical Director of Danza Contemporanea de Cuba) and the recently deceased Amelia Pedroso on lead vocals, this five member ensemble presents sacred songs to Afro-Cuban deities known as oricha utilizing batá drums and voice. Also included on this recording is what batá drummers refer to as the oru seco or oru del igbodu, a liturgical suite of rhythms played on three batá drums. This ensemble is top-notch, and unlike field recordings, the audio fidelity is superb. If you are into Santeria music and batá drumming, you already own this. I highly recommend the recording. The producers add a note that the majority of the royalties of the recording go directly to the artists (because it was recorded in Canada, it avoids American embargo problems)."