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!