Caracoles
Daptone, 2024
8/10
The Havana, Cuba outfit Orquesta Akokán return with a live album that was captured at Abdala studios in Havana, and it’s packed with no lack of swing, rhythm and bebop ideas.
“Con Licencia” starts the listen with Kiko Ruiz’s animated vocals surrounded by plenty bright brass and cultured percussion, and “Pan Con Tíbiri” follows with flowing backing vocals and dynamic drumming that’s not short on rhythm.
Arriving in the middle, “Cha-Cha-Cha-Pa’Ca” welcomes Itai Kriss’ flute solo amid Carolina Oliveros’ expressive pipes to the festive climate, while “La Fiera” is a lively, call and response album highlight that’s anthemic and rich.
Close to the end, “Las Siete Vidas Da Inés” benefits much from Natalina Perez’s fluid coro amid the bright singing, and “Dona Felipa” exits with the meticulous and buzzing reeds that complement the Latin mood.
The brass and reed interaction here is top notch, and the Conga fueled rhythms won’t go unnoticed, too, as the new singer and lyricist Ruiz makes for a worldly version of jazz.