The 1st King and founder of Ilé Ifé, co-creator of earth alongside Obatala, Odùdúwá is a Yoruba deity representing the mysteries and secrets of the afterlife. I was drawn to this particular song for Odùdúwá when I heard the version recorded by the legendary Cuban singer Merceditas Valdés. It's a mesmerizing arrangement and performance, beautifully sung 2 part harmony over a slow enchanting bata rhythm that moves in devotion to this enormously powerful Orisha. Later on I learned of the importance of Odùdúwá in my own spiritual path and felt that I had to record a song that paid homage to both Oddua and Merceditas, who's beautiful singing severed as my introduction to this Orisha.
Our song PRAYER FOR ODUDUWA (Para Merceditas) stays pretty closely inside the lines of both traditional Bata versions of the song and Merceditas own arrangement. However, with my approach I tried to imagine what the drums might sound like sonically if they had to be played in a future where wooden and hide covered drums didn't exist. Knowing that we will still play to beckon the divine in all settings, what would this electronic effort sound like?
This live version of the song was recorded straight to Pro-Tools in 1 take, no edits. This and 2 other songs were recorded in an abandoned warehouse in Santurce, Puerto Rico with 4 cameras at mid day.
The video features ÌFÉ band members Yarimir Cabán on lead vocals, Beto Torrens on 2nd vocal and chorus, and Otura Mun, Anthony Sierra, and Rafael Maya on percussion.
Our featured dancer is Jomar Santana. Special thanks to our cameras Mariela Alvarez, Eduardo Martinez, and Karisa Inés Cruz Rosado. And a huge thanks to our Director and Editor, Eduardo Mariota.
Founded by Puerto Rico based African American producer and percussionist Otura Mun, ÌFÉ is a futuristic live electronic music project blending elements of Afro-Cuban folklore and Yoruban religious music with the bass driven sounds of modern day Jamaican Dancehall, Trap and Afro-Beat. The single most important electronic act in Afro-Caribbean music, ÌFÉ’s 2017 debut album “IIII+IIII” revolutionized the way electronic music was conceived and performed, seamlessly combining the intricacies of Afro-Caribbean percussion and song with the power of modern electronica played in real time, no DJ’s, no programming, totally freed from the grid. A groundbreaking reimagination of ancient diaspora music and movement, ÌFÉ’s music explores the higher frequencies while paying keen attention to the lower ones in a way that feels equal parts riot and ritual. Their highly anticipated sophomore album is slated for release in Fall of 2020.