AfroCubism is out in North America in just over a week, when the eponymous band kicks off a brief tour of the US and Canada. It was recently featured on The Strand from the BBC World Service, which calls it "a gorgeous mix of African and Caribbean traditions"; host Mark Coles calls the track "Jarabi" "one of the most beautiful things I've heard in a long time." The album was also recently featured on CNN International and earns four stars from the Daily Telegraph.
AfroCubism is due out in North America on Nonesuch in just over a week, November 2. That same week, the eponymous band, featuring some of the finest musicians from Cuba and Mali, kicks off a brief tour of the US and Canada, with shows in Montreal, Boston, and New York. In the UK, where AfroCubism is out now on World Circuit, the album has been met with great critical acclaim.
Nick Gold, the record's producer and the head of World Circuit, spoke with BBC World Service program The Strand about the project and its roots in the recording sessions that led to the hugely popular Buena Vista Social Club.
The BBC says: "Fourteen years on the original plan has finally come together and the original planned line-up has recorded AfroCubism, a gorgeous mix of African and Caribbean traditions."
In his conversation with Gold, The Strand's Mark Coles says, "There are some absolutely wonderful moments on this album." He cites the band's Afro-Cuban take on the song "Jarabi," written by kora master and band member Toumani Diabaté, as "one of the most beautiful things I've heard in a long time."
Hear what Gold has to say in The Strand segment at bbc.co.uk.
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Gold also discussed the story of AfroCubism with CNN for a piece you can read at cnn.com.
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The Daily Telegraph recently gave the album four stars, calling it an "elegantly crafted meeting of African and Cuban master musicians." Reviewer Mark Hudson says: "AfroCubism creates a bittersweet musical micro-world all its own, full of rippling textures and sinuous picking, with musicians at the top of their game finding a fluent, yet delightfully rough-hewn musical chemistry that transcends cultural differences." Read the complete four-star review at telegraph.co.uk.
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To pre-order AfroCubism in North America and with the complete album, plus the exclusive bonus track "Keme Bourama," included as high-quality, 320 kpbs MP3s, head to the Nonesuch Store. For more on the North American tour, visit nonesuch.com/on-tour.
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