This young, energetic Cuban hip-hop group broke a promising new genre open with their debut album, A Lo Cubano (Surco/Universal, 2000). Their followup is somewhat more Euro-polished, and not quite as inspirational, but it still delivers a highly original blend of Cuban roots, hip-hop punch and savvy, and pop song craft. One key to Orisha's sound is their solid grounding in older Cuban music. They can put together a sweet, son montuno part played on classical guitar or piano with a catchy hook chorus, interwoven with a growling, tough rap part, all over a spare, swinging club groove. That's the basic formula, and it gets a variety of spins here, from the restlessly melodic "Guajiro," to the darkly foreboding "Gladiadores" with its heavy beat, and the brisk, popping "300 Kilos," which intertwines three contrasting vocal parts: two choruses--one rough, the other smooth--and a scratchy solo voice that threads through the mix.

Contrast is the name of the game in this band's music, and they come up with some new surprises here. "Asi Fue" evokes the mature music of the Beatles, working vibes, strings, and light, minor-key, harmonized vocals into moody hip-hop beat. The slow and easy "Mujer" also uses strings, and juxtaposes whispered, urgent rapping that grows more and more aggressive against a constant and gentle harmonized vocal part. "Que Bola" breaks new ground with backwards sounds and non-standard pitches. Once again, the strangeness is balanced by warm melodicism and a slow, hard groove. Orishas' gift for catchy pop hooks is always a plus, and for that, it's hard to beat the lean, tuneful, energized opening track, "Que Pasa." By the way, the video for this tune is excellent, featuring the band members as giants prowling and looming over the streets of Havana, as if they were looking for new horizons in a place frozen in the past.

English translations of the lyrics would have been nice. Given the urgent delivery behind this dense weave of voices, one naturally wonders about the messages they carry. One message--the idea that the old and new can come together harmoniously--requires no translation.

Contributed by: Banning Eyre for www.afropop.org