Omar Sosa - Eggun (The Afri-Lectric Experience) (2013) [Hi-Res]

Eggun is an album of its time, but whose strength comes from the past, and whose foundations are rooted in an ancestral spirituality. In this tribute to Kind Of Blue, Omar Sosa, one of the most innovative jazz globalists, transcends the influence of Miles Davis thanks to his style threaded with improvisations and Afro-Caribbean rhythms. The result is a unique voyage that escapes time.

The Omar Sosa Afri-Lectric Experience began as a commission from the Barcelona Jazz Festival in 2009. The assignment: to compose and produce a tribute performance to Miles Davis’ classic “Kind Of Blue” recording on the occasion of its 50th anniversary. Guided by various musical elements and motifs from “Kind Of Blue”, Omar wrote a suite of music featuring trumpet and two saxophones, incorporating African and Cuban melodies and rhythmic figures into a contemporary jazz vocabulary. At the heart of this new recording is the groove of Africa.

Following the success of the “Kind Of Blue” commission, Omar began to include the new arrangements into the repertoire of his regular touring ensemble, resulting in the creation of the The Afri-Lectric Experience. The featured horn players are Joo Kraus on trumpet (from Germany), Leandro Saint-Hill on saxophones and flute (from Cuba), and Peter Apfelbaum on saxophones and percussion (from U.S.A.). Omar’s longtime rhythm section of Marque Gilmore on drums (from U.S.A.) and Childo Tomas on electric bass (from Mozambique) hold down the foundation.

Special guests on the project include Lionel Loueke on guitars (from Benin), Marvin Sewell on guitars (from U.S.A.), Pedro Martinez on Afro-Cuban percussion (from Cuba), John Santos on percussion (from U.S.A.) and Gustavo Ovalles on Afro-Venezuelan percussion (from Venezuela). The CD was recorded primarily in Brooklyn, NY.

The Afri-Lectric material features the horn section, with strong bass and drums, mixed with various electronic elements. The group’s subtle use of audio effects and sampled sounds is evident throughout the compositions. The horn arrangements emphasize ensemble playing, alternatively masking and exposing their connections to the original “Kind Of Blue” material.

'In the West African spiritual practice of Ifá, the eggūn are the spirits of those who have gone before, both family members and spiritual guides. It’s only fitting that Cuban pianist Omar Sosa would title his latest recording Eggūn. The impetus for this album came in 2009, when Sosa received a commission from the Barcelona Jazz Festival to compose and produce a tribute to Miles Davis’ Kind Of Blue, which was celebrating its 50th anniversary that year. Despite the fact that these two musicians come from different countries, cultures and eras, and they play different instruments, Sosa shares a great deal with Davis—namely a love of modern music and tone. The album launches with the unmistakable strains of “All Blues” reimagined, reshaped and reformed into the groove of Sosa’s ultra-cool “Alejet.” But Eggūn is not a remake of Davis’ music. Instead, Sosa captures the feel and vibe of the original material with something that is complete and fascinating on its own. As such, Eggūn becomes more of a companion piece, extending the language and music of Kind Of Blue. To do so, Sosa employs a great international band with Joo Kraus on trumpet and flugelhorn, Leandro Saint-Hill on alto saxophone, clarinet and flute, Peter Apfelbaum on saxophones and percussion, Marque Gilmore on drums and Childo Tomas on electric bass. Then he sprinkles in some well-placed guests, such as Lionel Loueke and Marvin Sewell on guitar, as well as Pedro Martinez, John Santos and Gustavo Ovalles on percussion. This album is a feast of clave and percussion, as one might guess. Sosa takes just a hint of a Kind Of Blue tune, such as “Flamenco Sketches,” and launches it like a sailboat in a different direction, as he does on “Alternativo Sketches.” Eggūn floats and flutters and thrills as a loving, expansive tribute to the master. But like Miles, Sosa never imitates; he goes his own, sweet way.' (Frank Alkyer, Downbeat)

“Omar Sosa is an extraordinary musician embodying both the magical virtuosity of musicianship and its soulful roots all in one. Actually one could not exist without the other. In Mr. Sosa, they have taken such deep rootedness that his music is naturally of the Spirit and therefore an outpouring of the soul.” (Raul da Gama, Latin Jazz Network)

Omar Sosa, piano, Fender Rhodes, electronics, samples, vocals
Marque Gilmore, drums, EFX programming, drum loops
Childo Tomas, electric bass, kalimba, vocals
Joo Kraus, trumpet, flugelhorn, electronic EFX
Leandro Saint-Hill, alto saxophone, clarinet, flute
Peter Apfelbaum, saxophones, melodica, caxixi

01. Omar Sosa - Alejet
02. Omar Sosa - El Alba
03. Omar Sosa - Interludio I
04. Omar Sosa - Alternativo Sketches
05. Omar Sosa - Interludio II
06. Omar Sosa - Madre Mia
07. Omar Sosa - Interludio III
08. Omar Sosa - So All Freddie
09. Omar Sosa - Interludio IV
10. Omar Sosa - Rumba Connection
11. Omar Sosa - Interludio V
12. Omar Sosa - Angustiado
13. Omar Sosa - Angustiado Reprise
14. Omar Sosa - Interludio VI
15. Omar Sosa - Calling Eggun