In the same way that BCUC went to the root of their roots to inspire some wild new afrobeats, Okute look set to do the same for Cuban music. The eight piece collective of seasoned players, based in Havana, are steeped in rumba/ Son cubano with a focus on the tradition’s afrocentric heartbeat. That may mean a little less smooth-jazz on the surface but you get a sound with a deeper energy at its core.
It’s that dynamism which pumps through Okute’s first single ‘Quiere La Rumba’, lifted from their forthcoming self- titled album (due release by Chulo Records on 4th June). Built around dancing polyrhythms, a no-frills guitar repeat, low-end bass foundations and strident vocal praising for the power of rumba, this is raw spiritual music. Add in the fuzzed organ solo that strides from abstract chords to fluent funk and you have a track that dares to be different. ‘Quiere La Rumba’ makes for some announcement- Okute are coming soon to shake some action.
Track: Okute release new track ‘ Quiere La Rumba’ and forthcoming album
