iLe’s Sophomore Release ‘Almadura’ Has Been Nominated For A 2020 GRAMMY
“iLe assails colonialism, machismo, hypocrisy and hate, and praises Pan-American solidarity and traditions, in songs that balance pugnacity, elegance and lithe rhythms.”
NEW YORK TIMES #5 “BEST ALBUM OF 2019”
“Musical stands against injustice and inequality, passionate statements of cultural pride… like the best protest music, the power of the message is in the storytelling.”
NPR #18 “BEST ALBUM OF 2019”
“iLe Rallies for Puerto Rican Freedom — And Her Own — in LP, ‘Almadura’”
ROLLING STONE
“Ileana Cabra bares her Puerto Rican soul to the heartbeat of Latin percussion… ambient electronic sounds layered with old-school tropical styles and rhythms.”
BILLBOARD
“‘Almadura’ is nothing short of a triumph, astutely capturing the frustration and resilience of a continent in constant conflict.”
REMEZCLA #4 “BEST ALBUM OF 2019”
Puerto Rican star iLe has been nominated for a 2020 GRAMMY in the “Best Rock, Urban Or Alternative Album” category for her sophomore release, ‘Almadura.’
This follows her debut solo album ‘iLevitable’ which won a GRAMMY in 2017. The most recent single is “Tu Rumba” which has an official video directed by Alejandro Pedrosa. The “Tu Rumba” video explores the sensual dances within the bomba music community, an integral element of Afro-Puerto Rican traditions. iLe describes the video as a “rhythmical mismatch in which two different rhythms are finding their own way to blend together.” The video expresses a connection through the somewhat distant yet sensual aggressiveness that bomba music communicates through its own ancestral way of playing and dancing. It is a sort of flirtation between the reality and the imaginary.
‘Almadura,’ meaning “strong soul,” is a Puerto Rican play on the word “armadura.” The album was co-produced by her longtime partner Ismael Cancel and includes her siblings Milena Perez Joglar and Gabriel Cabra as creative directors. The 12 song album features the legendary pianist Eddie Palmieri as a special guest on the track “Déjame Decirte.”
“My first album was about recognizing hurts and vulnerabilities and realizing that those aren’t weaknesses, but signs of strength,” iLe told Rolling Stone. “Now with ‘Almadura,’ we release that strength, and courage.”