On a trip to Cuba in 1996, Barney McAll was invited to a ceremony in honour of the Yoruba goddess Yemaya. The experience drew McAll, one of Australia's leading jazz pianists who had moved to New York to join Gary Bartz's band, to delve deeper into Cuban music and culture.
Originally released as a CD on the Jazzhead label in 2006, beside Hermeto Pascoal, Paul Grabowsky and many more, 'Mother of Dreams and Secrets' is a continuation of Barney's innovative exploration of sacred Afro-Cuban rhythms that has stood the test of time. Over the 9 track McAll shows many different shades of his Cuban schooling. The opening track 'Ellegua' captivates the listener with a hypnotic percussion, rhythmic vocals and McAlls astounding piano skills, backed by the use of his very own 'Chucky' a "homemade musical instrument for textural enterprise and underwater landscapes". Further into the LP we are treated to the almost ambient 'Yemaya Prayer' an alluring piece featuring Dreiser Durruthy's breathtaking vocals.
This album was recorded at Ergrem Studios in Havana with some of Cuba's finest percussionists and musicians, alongside New York based American and Australian players including the likes of Kurt Rosenwinkel and Billy Harper.
Available for the first time on vinyl, spread over a double LP for optimum sound quality.