Since he left Cuba in 1993, Omar Sosa has forged a distinctive musical path, fusing an array of world music, hip-hop and electronic elements with his Afro-Cuban roots. Sosa's newest recording, Ile, marks a homecoming for the pianist and composer to the Latin Jazz influences of his formative years in late '80s and early '90s Havana. Ile means homeland in the Yoruba language of West Africa, and it is to the Latin Jazz roots of his native Cuba that Sosa returns for inspiration on this new studio recording. Ile offers contemporary interpretations of some of the classic Cuban musical styles the world has come to admire. Listeners will enjoy this album's mix of ballads and sophisticated mid and up-tempo arrangements.
Opal Fire (2002). Son of a UN diplomat and classically trained, exciting young pianist Akram grew up digesting musical influences from around the world. These exotic flavors are brilliantly woven together in melodies that take flight and soar with expansive orchestrations and passionate rhythms and in more soothing moments, evoke an emotional response in a beautifully serene way.
Free As A Bird (2004). Free As a Bird is the much-anticipated follow-up to Omar's 2002 release, Opal Fire. Exotic, sensual, and brimming with life, it was worth the wait! Richly arranged and orchestrated by David Dial and Gregg Karukas, real instruments replace some of the keyboards from the earlier release, and the interaction of great musicians…
This is Omar Dykes' 50th anniversary CD and the first Omar & the Howlers release with new material since Boogie Man in 2004. With a recorded history of over 20 titles, this is the first release on Omar's own Big Guitar Music label, with more planned from this still active 21st century bluesman. Omar's diverse musical roots are show-cased on each track, with all songs being written by Dykes except I'm Mad Again by John Lee Hooker. The Howlers include Wes Starr and Bruce Jones, who have been playing with Omar since Big Leg Beat (1980), as well as Mike Buck, Ronnie James, and smokin' guitar from Casper Rawls and Derek O'Brien.