Delirio

Lo Ke Ba are a Brighton, UK-based band of musicians whose long-time love of the sounds of Cuba has resulted in decades’ worth of visits and study and an original take on salsa and Afro-Cuban music. The template is there: the driving blend of vocals, horns, keyboards and percussion instruments from guiro and congas to cowbell and clavé; the mix of traditions such as rumba, danzon and chachachá; the call-to-dance; the groove. Percussionist Richard Kensington has learned from masters including Havana conguero Changuito, while Cuban-born singer Adriana Lord – all rolled Rs and feel good proclamations (Agua! Caminado! Listen to me!) – brings a sort of sweet feistiness to lyrics telling of personal and social struggles in Cuba and Britain and duly sung in Spanish and English.

Eleven tunes co-written with montuno-wielding pianist Matt Baker are bolstered by a starry crew including Colombian singer Rodry-Go! and London/Cuban trombonist Landy Diaz, and lent further cachet by the quality production of Alex Wilson and Eliane Correa. The tunes are strong whatever the language: the chachachá ‘Colour of Skin’ flows like a velvet ribbon. ‘Manos a Boca’ is a carnivalesque whirl of tempo changes, masterful arrangements and feel good vibes that has ‘classic’ written all over it. Fabulous.