Brownswood Recordings

Brownswood are proud to present new music by esteemed singer/songwriter and pioneering voice in Latin music, Daymé Arocena, in her first solo work since the release of her third studio album ‘Sonocardiogram’ in 2019. ‘Dançar e Voar’ sees Daymé collaborate with one of Brazil’s most influential producers, composer & multi-instrumentalist (Alexandre) Kassin. With Daymé’s first foray into the realm of Samba, Kassin was the perfect choice to realise her vision on this seminal debut. ‘Dançar e Voar’ is released on digital format only via Brownswood Recordings on Friday 12th August 2022.

Inspired by a desire to be free expressed through the liberation of dance, ‘Dançar e Voar’ is a sweet remedy conceived during lockdown, where like many, Arocena found herself struggling to cope with the blaring silence of the standstill. In honour of the unfettered freedom demonstrated in one of the World’s top dance forms, the fantasy of getting close to people again, enjoying yourself, shaking your body, this is the sensation she craved at that moment, as she shares: ‘‘'Dançar e Voar’ gave me the energy to be happy again, to be positive again and I will always be grateful for this song, for my creativity. With the fact that I have this element to clean my soul of sadness because music is like that, music has that power.”

In creating the track, determined to capture the heart of Samba, and whilst rediscovering contrasting melodies that are bridged with Arocena’s flawless harmonies, the notorious Kassin jumped at the chance to collaborate on realising this vision, drafted in an exceptional band and composed the music. From their respective locations in Puerto Rico and Brazil, Arocena and Kassin joined forces to create this uplifting Samba ballad, a beautiful creation borne from a dark time paying homage to Brazils’ music icons such as Djavan, Luedji Luna, Ed Motta & Gal Costa to name a few.

Dayme Arocena – widely regarded as a modern Cuban icon – is a highly skilled singer / songwriter / producer and band leader. A powerhouse representing her native country on the world’s stage. At home she was immersed in the folkloric and religious music of Cuba, Daymé describes every surface of their home being scuffed from the constant tapping of rhythms. As a young woman she gained interest in Santeria (a syncretic religion unique to Cuba) and still practises to this day. First drawn in by the music - dancing and singing are very much part of the religion's rituals and celebrations. Studying at the prestigious Conservatory Amadeo Roldan, by the age 20 she was touring internationally with the Cuban-Canadian all female jazz group Maqueque. Daymé soon came to the attention of DJ and Broadcaster Gilles Peterson on his frequent trips to Cuba (as part of a collaboration with the Havana Cultura platform). He offered a record deal on a trip to London within a few days she had recorded her debut album “Nueva Era”. The record was released to immediate critical acclaim – including being listed as one of NPRs top albums of the year. Her second studio album Cubafonia” explored classic Cuban rhythms, whilst her self-produced third album “Sonocardiogram” saw Daymé return to her sonic roots in Havana.

When the world was plunged into a standstill during the COVID-19 pandemic, it was impossible for Daymé to tour her album. With unfettered access to the internet and time on her hands for the first time in her life - this became a time of growth and reflection on the environment in which Daymé Arocena had grown. It was in this period that she wrote Dançar E Voar – a song inspired by Brazilian rhythms, with lyrics about feelings of freedom and movement, with vocals recorded in Toronto and the musicians in Sao Paulo - produced by long-time Gilles Peterson collaborator Kassin (Orquestra Imperial / Sonzeira).

More recently Dayme has moved temporarily to Puerto Rico to work with the Grammy award winning producer Eduardo Cabra – a move that she says “felt like coming home”. She says she now feels like she is embracing a new Caribbean identity, on this island, in many ways worlds apart but in others just across the sea, from the country that she hopes one day to return.

‘Dançar e Voar’ by Daymé Arocena is available across all digital streaming platforms on Friday 12th August 2022 via Brownswood Recordings.