Jaime Ospina, working with a powerful group of musicians for five days in the Lechehouse Music studios in Buda, Texas, produced a challenging and innovative album, ‘The Vessel,’ which is available now on Bandcamp. Ospina, a founding member of the group Superfonicos, enlisted Grupo Fantasma member Beto Martinez to engineer and mix these ten engaging songs and play guitar along with Fumihoito Sugawara and Mauro Lopez. Ospin, using a workshop approach, worked closely with Alex Marrero, Fabian Rincon, John Speice, Robb Kid, Daniel Sanchez on drums, Greg Goodman, and Nicolas Sanchez on bass. 

Keyboardist – Peter Stopschinski and Stefano Intelisano; Stefano Intelisano on Accordion; 

 Joe Woullard on Tenor Sax and flute, Victor Cruz, Noah Mosgofian, and Nick Tozzo on percussion. Ospina also contributed to the gaita and gauta, wind instruments that are the main melodic tools of the album. Additionally, the composer provided bass parts. The result is an album reflecting a mix of Cuban, Columbian, and African elements. Ospina, a music educator, successfully combined these elements to celebrate the African Diaspora. According to Ospina, ‘The Vessel’ is a meditation of resilience. 

“El Llamado” featured the gaita. The song reflects the calling of nature and the calling of music and combines percussion and acoustic piano, which reflects the central theme. “El Viento” (The Wind) is a polyrhythmic masterpiece. With its improvised sections, the song follows the themes established by Ospina’s gauta. Touches of marimba and guitar add to the mix before a recompilation of the central musical theme. The result is a joyous tune, a fitting lead-in to the title song, “ The Vessel.” Kalu James, Emilie Basez & Kate Roberson provide the haunting vocals and lyrics—the song which translates to La Vasija in Spanish. The song covers thousands of years of humanity’s journey from Africa. Subtle guitars, expressive drumming, and equally descriptive lyrics set the stage for a musical journey that asks more questions than answers. The song is a masterpiece that celebrates the endurance of African culture. 

“Rencores” features a dynamic tenor sax solo by Joe Woullard of the band Hard Proof. Fender Rhodes is also prominent in this fast-paced, jazzy number. 

“Amanaciendo,” meaning “Lovebirthing” in English, combines reggae and cumbia with its prominent conga, rim work, and gauta. The extended bluesy guitar work takes the song to another plane. 

“El Closet” is equally dynamic. The song’s title refers to being trapped by one’s own perceived limitations. The song also refers to the more contemporary meaning of a closet as it relates to sexual identity. The jazz-tinged piano solo complements the conga/bongo backing. Touches of accordion also enhance the song’s melodic core, while Ospina’s gauta provides expressive solos. 

“A Dios,” which translates to ‘ to God,’ is also intended to say ‘adios. ‘ Peter Stopschinski’s theremin line synth lines are powerful and unusual, especially as they bounce off the clean, melodic electric guitar rhythm parts. 

The guitar solo is enchanting, building towards a mysterious and captivating conclusion. 

’The Vessel’ is a fascinating journey with compelling elements that are rewarding to listen to. 

The album is available via https://jaimeospina.bandcamp.com/album/the-vessel-la-vasija.