思ってもみない音たち - Santiago de Cuba -

Itomi Sakata, who celebrates and shines a light on Afro-Cuban culture and runs the label DMV-JAPAN dedicated to sharing the appeal of Cuban music, selects these tracks inspired by the impact of her experiences on the ground.

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Santiago de Cuba, a regional city in Cuba where local media sometimes refer to it as “the capital of the Caribbean.”

In attempting to share the richness of its music, I tried to put into words what I felt there, and arrived at a single phrase: “something I never expected.”

The presence of hidden yet essential rhythms, mysteriously compelling vocal phrasing, connections to deeper root genres, traditionally modern chord progressions, powerful live sounds that resonate even without amplification, overwhelming choral voices that seem to engulf everything, the ease of sharing laughter while performing astonishingly complex music, the explosive movement of an elderly woman’s hips, and more.

I came to realize that my heart had been completely captured by elements within and beyond this world-class music that I had never imagined.

For the people there, these elements feel entirely natural, and in the music of Santiago de Cuba, where life and music are inseparably connected, they seem to gently permeate throughout.

The way percussion and bass urge each other forward closely resembles the lively rhythm of conversation among the people there.

I selected these tracks with respect and celebration for everyone involved in this music. I hope this mix becomes an unexpected encounter for those who listen.