Meet Reviewer Damian Erskine
Felipe Cabrera
"Made in Animas"
www.myspace.com/felipecabreracardenas
I didn't know his name for the longest time, but I was awe-struck
by his groove and ability to maintain time and pocket while playing
some of the most intense Cuban music I had heard at that point.
The band was pianist Gonzalo Rubalcaba's and the bassist I learned was
Felipe Cabrera. When I heard that he had released his own effort,
it was a no brainer.. Off to iTunes to pick up my new study
material!
Although not as angular and umm.... "Where's the one?!" as some of my
Gonzalo recordings, "Made in Animas" is nonetheless equally worth an
intentional listen. Cuban born and residing in Paris, Felipe is a
force unto his own. Not to generalize, but there seems to be
something special about Cuban musicians (and African musicians).
Maybe it's the full immersion into the music and culture beginning at
birth, maybe it's the fact the music represents more than just a career
alternative or something that might be fun to dabble in. The
music has an intensity and the musicians are playing the music from the
inside out. Music is life and you live the life of music.
He is not playing bass here, he is dancing within the context of the
music and his chosen instrument is nothing more than his vehicle.
There is also a command of time and space that is not come by in a
casual manner. I suggest you immerse yourself in the fruits of
his labors and listen...HARD! And while you're at it, pick up
some Gonzalo discs... you won't be disappointed!
