Akokán is a Yoruba word used by Cubans to mean “from the heart” or “soul”, so it was no surprise that Cuba’s Orquesta Akokán lit up the stage at NYC’s Le Poisson Rouge a couple of weeks ago with a blazing presentation of deeply soulful mambo reminiscent of Benny Moré and banda gigante of the 1940’s and 50’s. Orquesta Akokán is a big band collective of all-star Cuban and New York musicians led by Cuban born and raised singer José “Pepito” Gomez. I was fortunate to catch them live at Le Poisson Rouge in NYC supporting their new (and Latín American Music Award nominated) self-titled album, available on Brooklyn’s Daptone Records and you can give it a listen on Spotify.
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