Label: Diquela Records
Country: Spain
Release Date: 2009.03.17
Aocaná means “Now” in the Spanish Romany language of caló and the album begins with “Todos Mortales” which is classic Ojos with a base of Catalan Rumba, a memorable melody and a tasty scratchy topping; “Nueva Vida” is a tango/rumba inspired by Marina’s recent motherhood. “Dónde te has metío” is a funky rapped rhumba with cajón and scratchismo while “Corre Ve Y Dile” (Run Go Tell Him) is about women and war: “How absorbed the women weave, with black thread and lace adornments, a tapestry of a boy laughing innocent, among grenades and rivers of blood.
“Una Verdad Incómoda” is a “Jipjopaos” Tango with tabla plus Kumar helping out; “Baraka” has elements of Tango, Rumba and Bolero and is a poignant description of the life of an immigrant and his feelings of solitude and constant struggle; “Rumba Del Adios” is where Rumba Catalana meets Salsa with a jazz horn arrangement garnish; a melancholy 7/4 intro featuring mandolin and violin announces the Electronic Bulería of “Tócale ya”; “Busca Lo Bueno” is a joyful Rumba in 5/4 featuring Cuba’s legendary Los Van plus Cuban pianist Roberto Carcassés. Prior to his involvement with OdB Xavi Turull led an outfit called Amalgama who collaborated with India’s Karnataka College of Percussion – “Tantas Flores” shows the relationship is still strong. On “Perico Y Juliana” Marina sings of a couple who only have their love to cling to in these hard times to a fine melody underpinned by Rumba, Flamenco and Cuban Timba; “Lluvia” is a down tempo meditation and literally ends “Aocaná” with a splash. In a world where music becomes more bland and inconsequential Ojos de Brujo still mean it. Their passion, experimentation and collaborative nature is real and ongoing and “Aocaná” is a testament to their collective adventurous spirit.

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