Ibeyi
Ibeyi (XL)
Naomi and Lisa-Kaindé Díaz are a French-Cuban duo who make music under the name Ibeyi, the Yoruba word for “twins”. They also happen to be the twin daughters of the late, great Miguel “Angá” Diaz of the legendary Buena Vista Social Club and Irakere. Needless to say, their self-titled debut is incredibly expressive, unique and fully formed.
With Lisa-Kaindé’s Nina Simone-meets-Björk vocal delivery over Naomi’s electronica/jazz/hip-hop production, they mix acute modern influences with Afro-Cuban music and the religion of Santería. The album begins with “Ellegua (Intro)”, a sort of prayer to the Orisha (a godlike figure in Santería) of beginnings, or a crossroads. “Oya” quickly follows, where Lisa-Kaindé sings “Take me Oya” repeatedly in a trance-like state over a ghostly French horn.
“Think Of You” is a love letter to their father, using samples of his drumming and lyrics recalling his memory, “We hear laughter and we think of you”.
The album varies from downtempo, melancholy balladry ("Stranger / Lover") and soulful sentiment, all sung in a mixture of Yoruba and English. When things get heavy ("Mama Says") they refrain from garish instrumentation and keep it subtle, relying on hand claps, glitchy beats and piano.
A toast to the past and a step into the future, Naomi and Lisa-Kaindé are only 20 years old, but have made one hell of a self-realized debut album.
Rating: ★★★★
