Ancient Yoruban chants mixed with contemporary pop.

If you listen to Afro-Caribbean music seriously, you won't get round Lazaro Ros. Born in Havana in 1925, the singer with the unmistakable, slightly nasal voice is the most important performer of ritual Santeria singing which arrived in the Caribbean along with slaves from Nigeria. Whether in its traditional form, in which call and response singing is only accompanied by a bata drum, or in its modern form, playing for instance with the nationally and internationally successful band Mezcla, Lazaro Ros is the living embodiment of authentic Afro-Caribbean musical culture and therefore regarded as one of Cuba's last national treasures.

Mezcla, one of Cuba's most adventurous musical collectives, complements Ros's vocals with bold arrangements and virtuosic interplay--combining electric guitar, percussion, and jazz harmonies with Afro-Cuban rhythms. The result is a sound that is both reverent and revolutionary, firmly rooted in spiritual heritage yet unafraid to innovate.

Originally released in the early 1990s, Cantos remains a landmark recording--an artistic statement that bridges Afro-Cuban ritual music with modern Cuban fusion, creating a timeless dialogue between past and present. For listeners of world music, Afro-Cuban traditions, and boundary-crossing jazz, Cantos is an essential document of cultural depth and musical daring.

Track Listing

• Barasuayo
• Ikiri Adda
• Iya Maasé Lóbi Shango
• Imbé Imbé
• Aketé Oba Oba
• Addé Oya
• Ibanlayé
• Echubelekéo

Additional Details

Label: INTUITION

Genre: World

Run Time: 36:27 mins

Region: 0

Release Date: 08/22/25

UPC: 750447308022