The London Lucumi Choir - Moyuba Baba, Moyuba Yeye: Praise Songs for Oshun & Obatala (2017)

The London Lucumi Choir is the FIRST non audition community choir of it’s kind in the world mainly singing Songs dedicated to Orisha accompanied by traditional drumming.

Biography: The London Lucumi Choir was formed in November 2006 by Afro Cuban Singer Extraordinaire Martha Galarraga and Musician Daniela Rosselson De Armas and assited by Dave Pattman ( Omo Aña) after many years of running voice workshops dedicated to singing songs for the Orisha.(Yoruba deities) It is the first non audition choir of its kind welcoming members regardless of age. We have members aged 15 to over 70 from all walks of life. The choir sings songs to the Orisha accompanied by traditional Bata Drums and occasionally other Afro-Cuban Genres, but with original arrangements by MD Daniela. In it’s short life the Lucumi Choir were category finalists 2008 at BBC Radio three Choir Competition of the Year.

Tracklist:
01. Elegua
02. Obatala / Odudua Tratao
03. Yeye O Aremi
04. Bembe Lere Awo (Oshun)
05. Akete Oba (Obatala)
06. Iyalagua (Obatala)
07. Homenaje al Conjunto Folklorico
08. Oshun Iyesa
09. River
10. Ofun Ruru / Baba Fururu
11. Babafururo / Ofun Ruru

“Now 12 Years Old, The London Lucumi Choir continues to do extra-ordinary community centred arts work and celebrates the rich syncretistic cultures of the African Diaspora while producing powerfully unifying roots music. Subtitled, Praise Songs for Oshun and Obatala in reference to two key Yoruba deities-forces of vital energy for many people across West Africa, Cuba, Brazil and beyond, this ten track CD takes listeners on a journey along lost London Rivers that ultimately find their source deep in the Kongo Kingdom.

Percussion integral to the ensemble is a prompt and rhythmic peg for vaulting solos and Choral harmonies that rain down like spring showers. Call- and- response features in all the arrangements; this is song as conversation, as shared emotion. The final track explores three separate Orisha traditions, the Choir skilfully guided by Candomblé. initiate, Ricardo Axé. and a re-mix giving the sign off an urban contemporary treatment. London is indeed lucky to have this musical powerhouse in it’s ‘burbs. ” By Chris Moss.