Fuentes has been on the scene since 1990, the brainchild of Ettore Bonafè and Paolo Casu, two world music percussionists, who joined forces with Brahima Dembelé, a griot musician from Burkina Faso.  

In 2007, they released their second album, Irikelé. From the first listen, we can hear the beautiful natural quality of its 11 songs. Of course, leading the way are percussions, but they are never invasive. Precise and exacting, they support Brahima's voice and authentic musicality.

The many fine musicians on the recording include Stefano Cantini (sax soprano), who is simply magnificent on “Pancho Q”, the voices of Anna Granata, Titta Nesti and Giulia Millanta, and Mino Cavallo on guitar.   The lyrics, translated from Bambara, evoke a wonderfully simple vision of the world. “Brotherhood is like a bicycle. If you leave it, it you should put up the kickstand. If you don’t see someone, it’s not because they want to hide” (“Yara Yara”). “To start out on an adventure, you should be ready. It’s like going to the market. You have to know how much you can spend” (“Tunga”).

This world music (or rather Afro music) CD spreads a contagious cheer. Without meaning to, you’ll find yourself dancing and smiling. Life is beautiful, even if it’s been a while since we remembered that.

Tracks: 1. Alasson - 4:09; 2. Trikelé - 4:05; 3. Jembé Fo Le Jara - 4:04; 4. Yere Ko - 3:20; 5. Pancho Q - 3:59; 6. Kuru Ye (Adamà Dembelè) - 4:02; 7. Siguy - 3:39; 8. Yara Yara (B. Dembelè, E. Bonafé, M. Cavallo) - 3:48; 9. Tungà - 5:57; 10. ZemJan - 4:59; Ye Ma - 4:10
Lyrics are by Brahima Dembelè, unless otherwise indicated. The music was written by Brahima Dembelè and Ettore Bonafé

Musicians: Brahima Dembelè (voice, percussions), Paolo Casu (percussions), Ettore Bonafè (vibraphone, percussions), Stefano “Cocco” Cantini (tenor and soprano sax), Mino Cavallo (guitar), Franco Fabbrini (electric bass), Adamà Dembelè (percussions), Sergio Gistri (trumpet), Anna Granata, Titta Nesti, Giulia Millanta, Bibata Zabrè, Kadi Diara (chorus), Pablo Del Carlo (contrabass), Stephanie Martin (violin)