Artists
Album Info
Release Date: 2007Label: Colibrí Producciones
Mayra Caridad Valdés' second album was "Obatalá, estoy aquí", a work that stood out for its excellent recording, the unquestionable quality of its musicians and once again for a sublime Mayra Caridad. This album produced and directed by Chucho focuses on the search for a wide range of themes and genres, taking advantage of his sister's versatility. Mayra can be seen again playing with jazz standards such as "On Green Dolphin Street", or her brother's "Mambo Influenciado" and "Maculele". Here the singer gives free rein to her improvisational ability, going through registers with her voice that emulate the harmony of the instruments as well as the polyrhythm of Cuban percussion. Once again, there will be an encounter with unforgettable boleros, the interpretations of "Alma Mía" by Benny Moré, "Ayer" by Ñico Rojas or "Cómo un Milagro" by Juanito Márquez that demonstrate that the Feeling that characterizes Mayra is an authentic root of her Cubanness. This album is also a kind of springboard for Chucho's solo work "Canto a Dios", where the lyrics and instrumentation are based at times on classical music and the spiritual songs of the blacks of New Orleans, attempts that are further enriched in the song "Obatalá", which in two versions, one short and one much longer, fuses Cuban percussion instruments and choral lyrical singing with the Afro-Cuban singing of Dreiser Durruty's voice. Among the all-star guest musicians, we can mention Elmer Ferrer and Carlos Emilio Morales on electric guitar, as well as Germán Velazco and Orlando Valle "Maraca" on brass. "Obatalá, estoy aquí" received nominations at Cubadisco 2008 for Fusion and Best Vocal Instrumental Artist. This is a work where two brothers give free rein to their abilities and undeniable talents.