Obbatuke - Manana 001- Manana Records

Obbatuké are an 8-piece rumba group from Santiago de Cuba, lead by renowned quinto player Carlos Guerra. The band are mainstays at the Casa del Caribe, widely regarded as the epicentre for the Eastern rumba scene. Rumba is a percussive-led genre descended from Africa which was formed when mixed with Spanish influences in the ports of Havana and Matanzas. As innovators in the genre, Obbatuké have been a huge inspiration to the Manana project, and were involved in collaborations at this year’s event with Plaid, Quantic, Nicolas Jaar and London based breakthrough act, Ariwo. This particular session was recorded at Castlesound Studios in Edinburgh on the band’s first trip outside of Cuba. It features three different sub-genres of Rumba and an extended Yoruba bata piece called Orun Seco.

Obbatuké are an 8-piece rumba group from Santiago de Cuba, lead by renowned quinto player Carlos Guerra. The band are mainstays at the Casa del Caribe, widely regarded as the epicenter for the Eastern rumba scene.

Rumba is a percussive-led genre descended from Africa which was formed when mixed with Spanish influences in the ports of Havana and Matanzas.

Cuba's Manana Records launches via a fine EP from Obbatuke, a eight-piece rumba outfit fronted by renowned quinto player Carlos Guerra. The band are apparently regulars at the legendary Casa del Caribe in Santiago de Cuba, a venue widely considered to be the beating heart of the Eastern rumba scene. Musically, the five tracks here mix typically high tempo, densely percussive rumba rhythms with chanted vocals. The lack of other musical instruments is startling, but takes nothing away from the tracks. In fact, it only enhances their back-to-basics charms. It proves beyond any doubt that it's the drums that make great dance music.