Review SIENA ROOT “Made in KuBa”

The album “Made in KuBa” is bound to draw some attention, and one might wonder if there is a spelling mistake in the title. However, KuBa is not Cuba, which means that the title is spelled correctly and is more of a wordplay.

KuBa is the abbreviation for Kulturbahnhof, a legendary venue in Jena, Germany. Siena Root played three shows at this location in March 2024 and their new live album provides an overview of the music performed during these three nights. Like the studio albums, “Made in KuBa” was recorded using analogue technology, which is rare these days, but which suits the music and sound of Siena Root.

Rooted in the sound of the ’70s, the four-piece band from Sweden started with “Coincident & Fate”, taken from their latest studio album, “Revelation”, which also features the very emotional “Keeper of the Flame”. Siena Root generally deliver music that goes straight to the heart. The band’s songwriting and Zubaida Solid’s emotional vocals are the cornerstone of their sound, and these are excellently represented on “Made in KuBa”.

The album includes a stunning version of “Mountain II” and three songs that are ten minutes long or more. ‘We (We Are Them)’, ‘In My Kitchen’ and ‘The Summer is Old’ showcase the band’s talent, evident in their improvisation and jam-like performances. This adds to the liveliness of their music, and the album shows a darker side with “The Summer is Old”. Psychedelic moments are more prevalent in “In My Kitchen”.

“Wishing for More” adds a vivid swing to the album, while “Root Rock Pioneers” brings back the organ. The galloping beat and enormous drive make the song a classy end of the album. Gaining power throughout, the live version of “Root Rock Pioneers” is a fitting finale to a great live album.

“Made in KuBa” is an unpolished and authentic live album that captures the live atmosphere perfectly. Siena Root are a band with a great sense of melody, which they combine with excellent songwriting and a passion for late ’60s/early ’70s rock. In a time of AI, digitalization and sterile perfection it’s release like this, showing the importance and the impact of handmade music, fueled by dedication and authenticity.