Julio Montoro y Alma Latina, Amadou Diagne - Mama Africa (2023)

The Cuban guitarist Julio Montoro and his group Alma Latina present (Tumi Music label) Mamá África, an album that highlights the Senegalese musician Amadou Diagne.

Mamá Africa combines the sounds of Cuba , Africa and Europe, starting from the inclusion of instruments linked to the Black continent, such as the kora and the tama, both from its western part. These find the perfect combination with trumpets, guitars and African percussion, adding sounds from Reggae, Funk, Bossa Nova and Calypso. The arrangements that Montoro undertakes are daring, they manage to cross borders and erase rhythmic limits, adding elements of Afro-Cuban music and hence a melting pots of different genres of music from three continents.

The magical song “Mi Gitana” is the epilogue of the recording. Based on Dub, this number features Diagne on vocals, accompanied on violin by William Roblejo and a decisive solo by Montoro on acoustic guitar. The festive and tasty “Sama Rew“, also popularized by Africando, builds bridges with the Traditional Cuban Son, highlighting Mayquel González on trumpet solo. The piece that gives the production its name, in Afro Jazz time, highlights the duo made up of vocalists Amadou Diagne and English singer Nolita Golding, supported by solos by Julio Montoro on keyboard and guitar. In the happy and rhythmic “Samadom” we witness an unforgettable and memorable conversation between the Kora -played by an inspired Amadou Diagne, and its distant cousins, the electric guitar, is played by the Cuban Elmer Ferrer, and the acoustic, in the hands of Julio Montoro. The sublime “Tres Palabras” by Osvaldo Farrés takes on new and refreshing airs, this time performed by the trio Diagne (vocals), Montoro (guitar) and Yosvany Betancourt “Pipi” (percussion). “Baila Mi Mambo“, with touches of Flamenco and Cuban music, presents the trumpet solo by Juan Kemell Barrera Toledo and Abel Hernández on saxophone. “Muganga” authored by Joao Donato tends to connect with Senegalese popular music. The established “Mulata Cha“ presents the tremendous solos by Lázaro Amaury Oviedo and Roberto Carcacés on trumpet and piano, respectively, as well as that of Eduardo Sandoval, to conclude, on trombone. “Moko an Kharrite” is an upbeat rhythm with catchy choruses and Abel Hernández’s decisive playing on his saxophone. “Desde Mi Ventana“, a piece that transforms into a vibrant and emotional Descarga salsaada, presents Daniel Lamadrid’s solo on piano and Yosvany Betancourt’s important performance “Pipi” on drums. The great musician Bobby Carcacés, with his peculiar Ska, is the guest to spice up “Changüisongo“, in which we also witness a beautiful solo by Montoro himself on piano, who pays tribute to Changuito, Formell and Reve. The album concludes with the magical piece “Moruka“, in which Diagne plays tama and congas.

Julio Antonio Montoro studied guitar from an early age, playing in various groups with keyboard, Piano and Guitar. In 1996 worked as a pianist for the group led by Juan Kemell, participating in several albums and touring Europe, Mexico and the Bahamas with them. He also toured Europe with other Cuban orchestras such as La Revé, Charanga Habanera and La Barriada. He also works with Tumi Music as a producer and arranger with groups such as Cándido Fabre, Arturo Jorge, La Reina y la Real, Max Max and Miriela Zare, and has produced three albums with Tumi Music: Alma Latina, Black Roots, and the album in question: Mama Africa.

Tracklist:
1.01 - Julio Montoro y Alma Latina - MI Gitana (4:55)
1.02 - Julio Montoro y Alma Latina - Sama Rew (3:56)
1.03 - Julio Montoro y Alma Latina - Mamá África (4:58)
1.04 - Julio Montoro y Alma Latina - Samadom (3:33)
1.05 - Julio Montoro y Alma Latina - Tres Palabras (4:02)
1.06 - Julio Montoro y Alma Latina - Baila mi mambo (4:33)
1.07 - Julio Montoro y Alma Latina - Muganga (3:47)
1.08 - Julio Montoro y Alma Latina - Mulata Cha (5:05)
1.09 - Julio Montoro y Alma Latina - Moko an Kharrite (4:11)
1.10 - Julio Montoro y Alma Latina - Desde mi Ventana (5:50)
1.11 - Julio Montoro y Alma Latina - Changüisongo (4:24)
1.12 - Julio Montoro y Alma Latina - Moruka (3:39)