“Yemaya” (Blue Note, 1998) is up to the explosive legacy Irakere has established over nearly 30 years; a wide-ranging tour of acoustic and electric Latin jazz idioms and grooves.
 
Leading off with the title track, vocally essayed by Chucho Valdes's dynamic sister, Mayra, this is yet another chapter bristling with ebullient energy and no shortage of fine musicianship. "Mister Bruce" most emphatically features the leader, a tour de force for Valdes who unleashes a torrent of notes over percussion, bass and drums. "Santa Amalia" is straight ahead Latin jazz with lots of Valdes, hot horn solos and a flourish of vocals at the close. "La Explosión," with quotes from "Love for Sale" near the end, presents a multi-sectioned serpent of funk, bop and mambo while "San Francisco" is a fine, barely updated Latin boogaloo. "Son Montuno," which also appears on Valdes' Bele Bele en la Habana solo album, is blown open by some rough rock guitar, the old freewheeling Irakere spirit at work.

“Yemayá” represents a new phase for Irakere and is Latin Jazz of the highest caliber, full of virtuosity and passion.


Irakere featuring Chucho Valdés

Yemayá

1998


 CD / 1998 / 320Kbps


Tracklist:

1. Yemayá

2. Mister Bruce 

3. Santa Amalia 

4. La Explosion 

5. San Francisco 

6. Son Montuno 

7. Chorrino 


Personnel: 
Chucho Valdes (piano)
Mayra Caridad Valdes (vocals)
Cesar Lopez (alto saxophone)
Alfredo Thompson (tenor saxophone)
Mario Fernandez, Basilio Marquez (trumpet)
Carlos Emilio Morales (guitar)
Carlos Del Puerto (bass)
Enrique Pla (drums)
Andres Miranda (congas)
Jose Miguel Melendez (timbales)


Irakere featuring Chucho Valdés / Yemayá / 1998