The folks behind New York’s Daptone Records love vintage sounds, particularly the gritty old-school soul they brought to so many new ears when they resurrected the careers of singers Sharon Jones and Charles Bradley. The label’s output is undeniably fetishistic in its retro leanings, but that would only be a problem if its releases privileged “retro” above strong material and distinctive performers—good music is good music. That rings as true as ever with Daptone’s recent release of the self-titled debut by Orquesta Akokán.
Below you can hear “Cuidado con el Tumbador,” where Eckroth cedes the piano bench to César “Pupy” Pedroso, a cofounder of Los Van Van. Girded by Plasse’s twangy tres chords, the song harks back to the sound of the great Arsenio Rodriguez.Orquesta Akokán by Orquesta Akokán Today’s playlist:
