Kinavana
An exquisite homage to the seductive coupling of African music with the sounds of vintage Cuba, the third album by Congolese supergroup Kekele assembles a constellation of stars for a heartfelt tribute to the work and life of Cuban composer and guitarist Guillermo Portabales (1911-1970).  Buena Vista Social Club fans will recognize "Mace," a reworking of Celia Romero's "Guateque Campesino," from the debut album by the collective's Ibrahim Ferrer.  Here, it is embellished by newly written lyrics in Lingala and  melodious saxophone riffs courtesy of the legendary Manu Dibango.  Portabales' "El Carretero" is given a glorious, 7-minute Congolese rumba treatment with vocal contributions by Mbilia Bel (the genre's most notable female vocalist) and fiery New York sonera Isabel Martínez.  Other guests include Venezuelan percussionist Luisito Quintero and veteran singer Madilu Bialu.  Together, these musical giants deliver elegant charanga soundscapes laced with flute and violins, then turn up the heat for some funky Afro-Cuban dance jams.  The lilting, ever present guitar lines underscore the sheer beauty of Congolese rumba, an endearing genre that deserves wider recognition.--Ernesto Lechner