Thrillingly lyrical Afro-Cuban jazz set from the supremely talented Fonseca who came first to fame as the young pianist who replaced veteran Ruben González in the Buena Vista Social Club. Recorded in the sacred Egrem studios, Fonseca’s second album with Omar González on double bass, drummer Ramses Rodríguez and percussionist Joel Hierrezuelo has Cape Verde’s Mayra Andrade offering potent words for the ‘Siete ponencias’ (‘Power of Seven’). While the inspirational power of Akokan (which means ‘heart’) stems from ritual Santería belief viz Fonseca’s red and white Changó bracelet, the sound is refreshingly international.

(Enja Montuno)