Gilles Peterson‘s latest project with Havana Cultura is an insightful look at rumba music from the island of Cuba.
Peterson has joined forces with documentary film-maker Charlie Inman – who directed his last feature on the music of Brazil – to present a comprehensive look at the music, the dance, and the culture surrounding the rumba form. Expert batá drummer Ade Egun Crispin Robinson and singer Daymé Arocena accompany Peterson for the duration of the trip.
This film is also accompanied by a remix album – entitled Havana Club Rumba Sessions - which features some wonderful remixes by a diverse roster of artists, including débruit, Motor City Drum Ensemble, and Japanese duo Daisuke Tanabe and Yosi Horikawa. The tracks are based around samples of the three principal drumming styles within rumba - guaganco, yambu, and colombia - that were recorded during Peterson’s stay in Cuba. Arocena’s vocals also feature, most notably on the beautiful track from 22a label head Tenderlonius, entitled ‘Rumba Tierna’.
Havana Club Rumba Sessions is released on March 11 via Brownswood Recordings, and you can catch the documentary throughout February at the ICA, the Lexi in Kensal Rise, and the Phoenix in East Finchley. Check out the trailer below:
