…Recorded in just a few days in London and Havana, The Havana Cultura Sessions EP is a great introduction to Daymé's broad ranging musical talent. Drama showcases her trademark mix of jazz and Latin styles. El Ruso is what Dayme calls ‘a funny song.' Its story covers her mother's enforced study of Russian during the heyday of Cuba's relationship with the Soviets. "Life never says it; does truth tell a lie?" she sings. On Sin Empezar Daymé glows with the range and use of tones in a superb song. Mellow and slow, its moving and stunning inclusion of the trumpet playing slowly with elongated notes. The sharp and crisp drumming and the piano's impressively subtle phrases all work in harmony with the chorus and Dayme's unusually delicate voice in response to some lyrics. A deep rumba re-imagining of the American torch song Cry Me a River completes the package.Daymé Arocena's The Havana Cultura EP is released on Brownswood Recordings on the 30th March on CD and digital download.About Havana Cultura:Launched in 2007, Havana Cultura is Cuban rum maker Havana Club's global platform for the promotion of contemporary Cuban creativity. Its main activities include showcasing the work of artists across various disciplines-including music, visual and performing arts, cinema and literature – through a rich multimedia website as well as the development of cultural projects.
See the original full report and listen to tracks here
Watch Dayme sing Madres ('Mothers') below
Cuba 50 