Umoja orchestra
featured review, July08 August 8th, 2008
By Fred Sowder, July 2008
Abre la Puerta, Self-released
As a native of Miami, any disc of salsa and meringue influence certainly brings back childhood memories, and this disc is certainly no exception.
Umoja, a Swahili word meaning unity, is certainly appropriate here. This outfit is certainly one tight ship considering its immense size as well as its ability to borrow rhythms from a variety of influences. From vocalist-guitarist Sebastián Lopez-Velazquez to Adam Finkelman on the timbales, Umoja Orchestra stays on point, keeping the dance party moving almost effortlessly.
With over a dozen members that take such Afro-Cuban influences as meringue and charanga and combine them with mainstream Afropop elements such as the singing guitar on “Talkatalk,” Umoja arrive at the Afrobeat altar by its roots as opposed to indie rock like other bands such as Vampire Weekend. These guys probably listen to as much Orchestra Baobab’s Pirate’s Choice and Antibalas Afrobeat Orchestra as they do Tito Puente and Mongo Santamaria in an effort to make sure all the bases are covered.
Not everything here is a grand-scale Latin collaboration, however. There’s also the lighthearted, stripped-down voice- and-guitar of “Indocumentado,” which sings of the virtues of being anonymous outside of one’s home country. Rock also comes into play on the next track, “La Puerta,” although guest musician Jesse Hale’s cello meets the Santana-style guitar of Scott Clayton early on in the track. Bossa nova and flamenco styles of guitar also duel in the two-part suite “El Verano I” and “El Verano II.” As the title suggests, it’s truly a celebration of all things summer.
While the lyrics are largely in Spanish (the CD’s title translates to “open the door”), it has its Anglo moments, such as the rap break near the end of the mambo workout “B.D.D.” courtesy of Amin de Jesus. Although the influences are many, Umoja Orchestra’s main mission is to bring an international party to the people. It’s refreshing to have a debut recording of such diverse energy from a band right here in Gainesville.
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Umoja orchestra
featured review, July08 August 8th, 2008By Fred Sowder, July 2008
Abre la Puerta, Self-released
As a native of Miami, any disc of salsa and meringue influence certainly brings back childhood memories, and this disc is certainly no exception.
Umoja, a Swahili word meaning unity, is certainly appropriate here. This outfit is certainly one tight ship considering its immense size as well as its ability to borrow rhythms from a variety of influences. From vocalist-guitarist Sebastián Lopez-Velazquez to Adam Finkelman on the timbales, Umoja Orchestra stays on point, keeping the dance party moving almost effortlessly.
With over a dozen members that take such Afro-Cuban influences as meringue and charanga and combine them with mainstream Afropop elements such as the singing guitar on “Talkatalk,” Umoja arrive at the Afrobeat altar by its roots as opposed to indie rock like other bands such as Vampire Weekend. These guys probably listen to as much Orchestra Baobab’s Pirate’s Choice and Antibalas Afrobeat Orchestra as they do Tito Puente and Mongo Santamaria in an effort to make sure all the bases are covered.
Not everything here is a grand-scale Latin collaboration, however. There’s also the lighthearted, stripped-down voice- and-guitar of “Indocumentado,” which sings of the virtues of being anonymous outside of one’s home country. Rock also comes into play on the next track, “La Puerta,” although guest musician Jesse Hale’s cello meets the Santana-style guitar of Scott Clayton early on in the track. Bossa nova and flamenco styles of guitar also duel in the two-part suite “El Verano I” and “El Verano II.” As the title suggests, it’s truly a celebration of all things summer.
While the lyrics are largely in Spanish (the CD’s title translates to “open the door”), it has its Anglo moments, such as the rap break near the end of the mambo workout “B.D.D.” courtesy of Amin de Jesus. Although the influences are many, Umoja Orchestra’s main mission is to bring an international party to the people. It’s refreshing to have a debut recording of such diverse energy from a band right here in Gainesville.
