No, it’s not that we’re unsure of their name – Que Vola? really do suffix their moniker with a question mark, because the French-Cuban 10-piece (that’s a dectet, you know) are named after a Cuban street greeting. You'll note that the subject of Cuban street-life also finds its way into song’s title as well as the accompanying visuals that feature a group of Habaneros preparing for the promise of the night. Franco-Caribbean collective Que Vola? tease out the staccato percussive intro of ‘Calle Luz’, which is in no hurry to truly land its punch. But it’s certainly worth the wait when it kindles a jazzy rumba groove with a sultry air, all interweaving horns, stocky stabs of Fender Rhodes and those Cuban percussionists’ compelling dynamics.
Que Vola? were formed by notre homme dans Havana, French trombonist Fidel Fourneyron, who found himself bewitched by the music of Afro-Cuban cults and set out to replace the voices in those spirituals with brass instruments. The resulting magic has been captured by the excellent label No Format on a self-titled album, which will drop in January.
Words by Nick Mee @nickjmee