ÌFÉ: NPR Music Tiny Desk Concert
Музыка
April 27, 2018 | Felix Contreras --
When I first heard ÌFÉ I was stopped in my tracks. Literally. I pulled the car over and just listened.
I recognized Afro-Cuban drumming and chanting, but it was coming at me with electronic furnishings that made their drums and vocals sound like a futuristic spiritual ceremony.
ÌFÉ is from Puerto Rico and feature a surprising back story. The group's debut album, IIII+IIII, is a fresh electronic take on tradition that's winning over even the most devout practitioners of the western African-based spiritual ceremonies that form the base of their music. That's hard to do with ritual music.
For their turn behind the Tiny Desk, Otura Mun and his ensemble unplug their drums for their first tune, an acoustic version of their "House of Love (Ogbe Yekun)". The sound of the second song here is what startled me when I heard the band's debut CD last year: the parts normally performed on Afro-Cuban bata drums and chekeres are electronically treated for a traditional prayer for the deity Oduduwa. By the last tune, "Bangah (Pico Y Palo)," the electronics have created a sonic playground that plays perfectly against the battery of Afro-Cuban rhythms.
Listen for the explainer during the performance by Otura Mun, who also gives a shout out to those struggling against the vestiges of colonialism still prevalent in Puerto Rico.
Read Alt.Latino's ÌFÉ primer.
Set List
"House of Love (Ogbe Yekun)"
"Prayer for Oduduwa (Para Meceditas)"
"Bangah (Pico y Palo)"
MUSICIANS
Otura Mun (vocals/percussion); Beho Torrens (vocals/percussion); Rafael Maya (vocals/percussion); Anthony Siera (vocals/percussion); Yaimir Cabám (vocals/guitar/percussion)
CREDITS
Producers: Felix Contreras, Bronson Arcuri; Creative Director: Bob Boilen; Audio Engineer: Josh Rogosin; Videographers: Bronson Arcuri, Maia Stern, Dani Lyman; Production Assistant: Joshua Bote; Photo: Eslah Attar/NPR.
Пікірлер: 461
I’m Puerto Rican yes the Yoruba ancestors have left their mark on us we still have their original spirituality that they have practiced for thousands of years before being brutally forced on foreign religions like Christianity and Islam etc. I always wondered what our people’s original beliefs were before being enslaved. Thankfully I was raised around Santeria practitioners ifa (Yoruba spirituality) and others like Puerto Rican’s who have the Congo spirituality (Palo mayombe) because a lot of ancestors from the Congo area came too when they sent hundreds of thousands of our great spiritual African ancestors to our island. I’m grateful because I know what true spirituality feels like with religion I never had that feeling it was too forced with this spirituality you can actually feel it if that makes sense. Beautiful it brings tears to my eyes my guardian Orisha is Eleggua or in some places pronounced elegba. May the ancestors be with you all I feel very deeply about my African roots as a so called Puerto Rican(name given by colonizers). Asé.
There is just a tiny bit of information missing which is all the African language used including the word Ife and the diety Oduduwa comes from the Yoruba tradition in Nigeria. Yoruba religion and language is still kept alive in the Americas by the descendants of the slaves taken there. From Brazil to Cuba and many other places. Great music.
I had the pleasure of meeting Rafael Maya recently and was astonished by the quality and power of their music. I was born in Brazil and my family has roots in the Yoruba/Candomble religion and these songs touch me deeply! Thank you Tiny Desk for bringing more global sounds to us. Gracias, Rafael!
"May we find the strength to free ourselves from this colonial empire"
@llIIIIlllIIIllI
4 жыл бұрын
Ive been trying to tell people we should dump Puerto Rico as a colony for a long time.
@billpholde4816
3 жыл бұрын
Respect. Yes, indeed. Looking forward to seeing them go it alone.
@dsm5d723
3 жыл бұрын
@@llIIIIlllIIIllI Sadly, colonies exist because people want to ascend a non-physical ladder in physical space. We can get in front of it, and extract resources. This demonstration of power only produces a self-similar desire to infect and take down the body from the outside. In NYC, it is clear. I answered some woketard on twitter if there was an equivalent term in the Puerto Rican community for Uncle Tom, among those in Puerto Rico? Look in the projects, I proposed "House Niggleito." Comfort and ease looks nice, but it kills the future.
PUÑETA!!! PUERTORRO EN LA CASA!!! Tremendos musicos!
One of my faves from Tiny Desk. Many thanks to NPR for making it possible for me to experience this.
Thank you NPR, for always bringing different styles of music. I really like this group.
@TosingerT
6 жыл бұрын
i hope to be on there some day..since they are open to diversity . www.tosinger.com
@andrxito
6 жыл бұрын
I think the same, sad to see so many racist people around the comments though...
@tinyrick1081
6 жыл бұрын
I see practically only positive comments...
I am going to see them Berkeley, CA next Saturday night (7/28). I was introduced to them from this NPR and now I am a fan. Looking forward to seeing them next week.
Traditional Afro-cuban sounds getting a new treatment. Ase!
I love these gifted musicians. Great performance. ❤️👍
This is beautiful! I'm rediscovering my (diasporic) roots and this hit my heart. The work they've made is intriguing, blessed and powerful. They have a new fan! Thank you for shining a light on this group. May more blessings come their way. ♥
This makes me so proud of the Yoruba culture. I'm definitely sharing this.
ifé is so magical. i love their music. thanks npr for providing a platform for their sound.
Santeria. Grew up with this...& Catholicism & Buddhism, choices & lots 'o good music. Love my Cuban roots.
Music is meant to make you feel,escape,fulfill ...they made us feel all that.thank you
Africa represent! Nigeria! Yoruba! Puerto Rico! Cuba!
@bl00dhoney
5 жыл бұрын
Jamaica! 😉
@michellekinney6235
4 жыл бұрын
@@bl00dhoney Now that would be a beautiful world we could all LIVE in.
@k.c.5426
4 жыл бұрын
@@michellekinney6235 😒
@federicouno1714
4 жыл бұрын
Argentina presente!!!!
@seismicvertigo345
4 жыл бұрын
It's awkward seeing them use Yoruba words. I'm just wondering where the darker skinned Caribbeanos are
Its interesting how much of the Yoruba tradition and culture propagated(heavily practiced till date) to shores beyond the Yoruba Kingdom. Fascinates me that the interaction between the Homeland and the Yoruba community shores away is so little, but the tradition lives heavily in the hearts of the Yoruba people in both parts of the world. Prayer for Oduduwa feels like an electronic version of sounds from a Yoruba traditional event.
@flowmastaent
5 жыл бұрын
Ladipo that’s What i said and one of them has an Igbo hat
@gustavobasulto6759
5 жыл бұрын
Prayer for Oduduwa was meditative 🕊
@OladipoAgoro
5 жыл бұрын
The Ooni of Ife is trying to bridge the gap. He recently visited Brazil
@mkaijewett
5 жыл бұрын
@@OladipoAgoro The Ooni is coming to the U.S. in June to attend the Odunde Festival in Philly.
@OladipoAgoro
5 жыл бұрын
@@mkaijewett I might need to fly out. Thanks, I'll Google the gate and book my ticket
00:01 House of Love (Ogbe Yekun) 07:05 Prayer for Oduduwa (Para Meceditas) 14:21 Bangah (Pico y Palo)
Puerto Rico!!!! Thanks NPR for bringing the world together.
You know I was prepared to come to work and deal with a bunch of crap. Just in a real crappy mode. After listening to this, I feel rejuvenated and like I can conquer anything. Thank you for this. I am going to be successful now and forever!!!!
@Docentino1914
5 жыл бұрын
you seem to be a Beautiful person - a Person of Beauty. Unless I'm wrong about you -- Carry on!
I love Tiny Desk Concerts, they bring us such an eclectic mix of great artists. I am officially addicted to NPR!! IFE is incredible!!
@torquil4226
5 жыл бұрын
I'd be in a dark, cold, damp place without this Channel - complete gratitude they exist!
Wow how am I only seeing this now???!!! Love themsoooooooo much !!1
The last song, "Bangah", is truly something out of this world... and the form it took live in this performance is amazing. If you love music, no matter what genre, that performance is some kind of pure rhythmic and melodic masterpiece.
There is nothing more universally uniting than music, kno dat!! ❤️
These guys win. Give them the prize.
** I really dig that prayer song ! soooooooo coooooool and soooooooooooothing ! GOD Bless
I really respect what IFE are doing, it's taking folk into a whole new dimension.
Don't know why. . lit some sage and cried. Don't understand a word, yet it's BEAUTIFUL! THANKS 💕
@yolandamabs3968
5 жыл бұрын
My eyes got teary as I read this
@jadewindom68
Жыл бұрын
These drums are no different than that energy you feel when you hear a whistle blower on a native drum at a pow-wow. This ancient African energy is amazing when their dancers are present........
Wonderful fresh interpretation of the roots of Cuban and Puerto Rican music.
@mkaijewett
5 жыл бұрын
Luis LEAL They are singing sacred Yoruba music. I've seen and met them before. They are Orisha priests/devotees.
@seismicvertigo345
4 жыл бұрын
Yoruba music & the music of Yoruba descendats... don't confuse it with Latin anything
@gabrielargiles7608
4 жыл бұрын
Yoruba music is probably one of the main roots of latin music especially Cuban and Puerto Rican
No puedo contar las veces que me he escuchado este live. Me encanta!
Igború Igboya Igbocheche Thank U Brothers and Sisters for so Beautiful Music. Love are Religion Believe love are Music. Maferefun My Father ODUDUWA.
This is way ahead of it's generation... Consider myself lucky to discover NPR music
@AlitoLeonelo
5 жыл бұрын
bvbvbhcysdfhvuioarrrrrrbv
@torquil4226
5 жыл бұрын
^^^^^ my brain when I found this today
@jzkramer
5 жыл бұрын
Is good Cumbia...vocals and percussion style reminiscent of Spirit Chaser by Dead Can Dance
@danielrinobravo
5 жыл бұрын
nah men sorry. but for us latinos this is just traditional music
@CyberShwartz
5 жыл бұрын
It's the exact opposite of that. This is like, very very cultural and based from their Puerto Rican roots.
I adore this so much! Absolutely what I needed this morning. Thank you!
This is deep and resonant and makes me want to move at the same time. Beautiful.
I'm as stunned by this as when I heard the first Ibeyi album....So different, so tribal, so moving....
I think most of the world is beginning to awaken. We have, most of us, a desire to reclaim our power and to help others do the same. Love to all.
It's strange how much this feels like home.
Reminds me of Ibeyi's performance when they were at Tiny Desk!
IFE is what happens when you fall down the TDC rabbit hole and end up in Wonderland. So Good.
This performance was hypnotizing. Thank you NPR
OMG. So good. I have been taken away by this music & I don't wanna come back.
Just a great vibe overall, thank you NPR.
guy in the red hat is absolutely living his best life, look at him jam on those bongos when hes not singing
Makes my soul feel good,I love everything NPR puts on KZread
@bros31
5 жыл бұрын
Except their news
They're absolutely amazing!!! Thanks npr!!! And pls pls pls release the acoustic version!!!! 🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰 I'm in love...
Belíssimas músicas! Não conhecia o grupo e vou divulgar aos amigos. Parabéns!
thanks NPR for bringing amazing music....
Vibrations lifted!❤️
Alafia! May Esú continue to bless you all!
the quality of this is absolutely amazing.!!! THANKS!!!!
That hit the spot! Thank you 😎💃💃💃💖💖💖
Just finished watching Vasen, which made my heart soar. Felt like just basking in that, and then this came up next. Just wonderful. I love what you guys have created with TDC. A joyful, intimate, transcendent, diverse, unifying thing, full of surprises and wholly life affirming.
Me encanta!! Thanks NPR, and Thanks ìFÉ!!
Didn't understand anything but I smiled the whole time. ☺😊
For me, you guys are better live than your album. Nice. This stripped back version of "house of love" is so smooth - release it!
@Bboywyll1
5 жыл бұрын
Totally agree
3:30 yes/ my grandmother was also Africano Y muy Blanco.. beautiful work here... Ella hablar
Good way to start this early Friday morning 👍
@ieremias01
6 жыл бұрын
You're right on!
@laurencontrerasloreto6735
6 жыл бұрын
Second that!
@drpepperr
6 жыл бұрын
Steven Mcilwain so true
Tiny desk concert 💓 thank you !! Beutiful music
No me canso de verlos/oirlos!!!!! BUENAZASAZOSSSSSSS los hermanos borinqueños siempre representando! Mucho Axé para todxs desde la patagonia...
thank you NPR, from Italy
Great way to start my day.
Beautiful, lyrical...reminiscent of Brazilian music and South American vibe....
i stumbled upon this but i am thrilled because i was captivated up until the moment i heard a nod to the late great Hector Lavoe, then i really became interested. The Aguanile jam was when i decided i had to comment. I was especially intrigued when he described the process of installing sensors in percussive instruments to turn them into midi controllers to create a live impromptu electronic sound. Great project and thank you NPR for always doing it right.
still one of the best recordings to ever come out of Tiny Desk
@erikdevries2215
4 жыл бұрын
Which other sessions impressed you?
@TroutBoneless
4 жыл бұрын
besides this IFE one, the 5 (now 6) best are (in my opinion and in no specific order): Anderson .Paak, Steve Martin, The Roots ft Bilal, Fantastic Negrito St. Paul and the Broken Bones Bushy One String
@erikdevries2215
4 жыл бұрын
@@TroutBoneless okay thanks for your answer. Appreciate it
love it love it....track 2 feels spiritual...thankyou thank you
Thank you for this band! It's really hard to play minimalistic music and keep the attention of the audience. ÌFÉ did it very nicely
This is very very uplifting and original, love the sound!!!!
Really . The music is original language for all the world .. Im from sudan and definitely not understand what they says but I feel the music .. yes I like it ❤✌
Gotta love Yarimir/MiMa's voice 💖💯 Grandes, ÌFÉ 💪
A great mixture of musical ideas, beats and sounds
This is just beautifully unbelievable. WOW! Just T H A N K S for this!!!
I've got so much time for IFE man
Loooooooove this. Anthem for the month.
This is so refreshing.
They made me smash that like at the last song, just beautiful.
This is spiritual... Thank guys.
Qué bonito tíos. Suena muy bien. Muy original. Precioso.
Its quite fascinating how i'm hearing Yoruba here...although it has been transformed as a result of time, its still beautiful.
NPR music is the best ,I don't know what would do , if they ever decide to close this show🙌🙌🙌🙌
This is unbelievably cool!!!!! Genius!!!!!
crazily good. Thanks for great music.
This is beautiful 😌✔️
this is great stuff from tiny desk. Real dope rythms.
Condamn my music sense, but this is one of best pieces I've heard! Can't live without it, it's so perfect!
Carajo como es que vengo a saber de ustedes solo hasta hoy. Orgullo me encanta.
so beautiful!
Boricuas! Bien hecho!
This is fantastic. Adding to my favorites list and will check them out on Spotify ASAP. Thank you!
Seat comfortably, close your eyes and let yourself leave this experience.
Lovely sounds... Soft touchin' my soul. From Brasil, Abraços!
I love this chanel!! Thanks NPR for letting me know this perfection!
Listening to this got me stone to the bone :) Thank You NPR and Thank you IFE...beautiful music my guys :’)
you guys are simultaneously cranking up the great and weird at the same time with the last few performances good stuff
The innovation dealing with the sensors within the drums was amazing; not to mention the great performance.
Love it!!! Thank you!!!
She carried the performance for sure!
Everyone should see their official video for house of love. Super sexy music.
@stephaniemegann
6 жыл бұрын
thanks !
Love this
I love this band so much
instantly in love with the guy with red hat's soul
@kayedramallama
3 жыл бұрын
His body is pretty fine too. Wrap me in those arms!