Search - Habana Abierta :: Boomerang

Joyous rhythms, hopeful lyrics and sterling instrumentation give life and soul to Boomerang, the third disc from Cuban collective Habana Abierta. The eight members reside in Madrid, but the group's collective heart remains in its native Cuba. They address issues of identity, political unrest and isolation, but the music remains spirited throughout the set. Boomerang is an effortless, elegant and often electric ode to not only native sounds, but music in general. Songs flow naturally into each other, incorporating elements of rap and rock alongside bolero, jazz and flamenco. Each member takes his turn behing the mic, but it never feels disjointed or haphazard. The complexities--and ultimate beauty--of life is what ties all of Boomerang's stellar tracks together. Standouts are impossible to pick, ranging from the aching beauty of "La Novia de Superman" and "Corazon Boomerang" to the prickly tropical flair of "Bailala Bien." An easy pick for one of 2006's best releases--and a likely award contender in the coming months. --Joey Guerra