Bata y Bembe de Matanzas I: la presentación de un Iyawo de Chango

Alfredo Calvo y su Ana Oba Tola & Alberto Punales y su Bembe Makagua, Alfredo Calvo | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (May 1, 2003)
• Original Release Date: May 1, 2003
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Kabiosile
• ASIN: B00014TFQU
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #243,123 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Michael Spiro, master drummer, May, 2003

Fifty years from now, this will be considered one of the most important recordings to come out of Matanzas.

Product Description

Experience the power of Matanzas-style Orisha music as performed by Alfredo Calvo (one of the most knowledgeable and talented Afro-Cuban folkloric singers alive today) and his Aña Oba Tola. The CD also presents, for the first time, the incredible sound of the sacred Lukumi Bembe Makagua, which were made in the early 20th century as war drums for the Orisha Chango. The drums are hot and Alfredo’s singing is amazing. A must have for all lovers of Orisha music!

The CD is structured around the presentation of a newly initiated priest of Chango, the warrior Orisha of thunder and lightening. In Havana and the United States, such a presentation is a rather cursory affair, but in Matanzas it is the way in which the new priest is presented to the community as well as the drums, and it is an elaborate event. The priest is dressed in the full satin regalia of his or her Orisha, ceremoniously brought out from his throne to be paraded before the community and then presented to the drums. Then the community joins in, singing and dancing as the akpon (lead singer) and the Aña drummers play praise songs to each of the main Orishas. To experience a presentation like this first-hand, please see Kabiosile’s DVD "Vamos al Tambor: Presentations in Matanzas, Cuba," also available through Amazon.com.

In addition to the traditional Aña drumming and praise songs, this CD also includes a track of never-before-recorded Lukumi Bembe Makagua drums, which were made as war drums for Chango in the early 20th century. These drums, which are similar to Arara bembe drums, are upright (as opposed to the hourglass across-the-lap style of Aña and bata drums) and are played with sticks (and, in the case of the main drums, one hand and one stick). Alfredo Calvo was present at the birth of the Makagua drums. In recent years, he has created a drumming innovation of bringing in the Bembe drums to play along with the Aña, then switching the entire tambor to Bembe. The sound is unique and powerful. Whatever Orishas didn't come down to join the party before are sure to arrive as soon as the crowd and drums break into "Marele Okuo," which means "Something new has been born." It is an experience not to be missed (and Kabiosile is planning a new DVD to capture and share it with you)!

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars One of the three essential Bata recordings, June 25, 2009

By 

TMC (Los Angeles, CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Bata y Bembe de Matanzas: la presentación de un Iyawo de Chango (MP3 Download)

I love Bata drumming, and this is a great recording! You can hear all the drums clearly, the rhythms are happening, and Alfredo Calvo has a powerful voice.

The other two records of essential Bata (in my opinion) are Milton Cardona's "Bembe" and "Sacred Rhythms of Cuban Santeria" (on Folkways). This one definitely has the rawest vocals and the roughest overall feel, and I mean that in the best possible way. A beautiful record.