NG La Banda con Tirso Duarte

If you're really lucky and happen to live in Mexico, keep your ears open for NG La Banda featuring their old friend and bandmember Tirso Duarte. They're currently over there on tour. I may seem to be obsessed at the moment with him (mentira!!) but it's just that I HATE to see such talent wasted. See timba.com for more info about him and watch this space for more updates.

The Rumours....

Rumours, rumours, rumours..The current Manolito debate continues, but according to Michelle White of timba.com, William is still in Pupy and El Noro is now in Manolito. And that's it. Final. Apparently.

(photo c. Rod Lawson)

You might remember that there was a bit of crisis with the Casa de la Musica, Galiano back in November. Well, checking the listings on the EGREM site suggests that it's up and running again...and Pupy is playing TONIGHT!!! (someone rescue me from the Manchester rain pleeassseeee!!)

Tirso Duarte new release: Fin del Juego (and....)

Yay! Tirso's new album is out now and available from Prodland. Click here for the US site, or here for the German one.
I can't wait to get my hands on it, I'll just have to be patient through the Christmas post....As soon as I have the album, I promise I'll fill you in!!!

Despite trying to hunt him down in Havana, I couldn't find him until he did a guest spot with Adalberto Alvarez @ Casa de La Musica, Miramar. We had a little chat and he tells me he'd been working with NG La Banda lately, just like in the days when he'd just left Charanga. Watch this space for more updates.

Speaking of Tirso, catch this video recorded in 2000 with Charanga Habanera. How cute and young does Tirso look?!

Musical Chairs in Havana

No need for words.......

Yep, it's another case of musical chairs in the timba department. The lovely Michelle White of timba.com has announced from her Christmas Cuba jaunt that the rumours are true: El Indio is leaving Trabuco to be replaced by El Noro of Salsa Mayor whilst William has left Pupy to be replaced by Lester- a former member of Salsa Mayor. Phew!
Also, the new Los Van Van release is not available from prodland.de so take a look, along with a mysterious new release from Tirso Duarte. Can't wait to get my hands on them!!! (maybe if I ask Santa.....)

Los Van Van new release. The GREATEST hits of greatest hits

JUAN FORMELL Y LOS VAN VAN “AQUI EL QUE BAILA GANA”

At last, Planet Records has announced the long-awaited new release from Los Van Van.
Comprising of double CD and DVD recorded in 2005, it contains a definitive list of songs that helped Van Van's claim on a place in history.

Tracks will be as follows:
CD1: Chapeando; Tim Pop Birdland, Pouturrit, Y Despues De Todo, Que No Que No, Si A Una Mamita, El Baile Del Buey Cansa’o, Anda Ven Y Muevete
CD2: El Negro Està Cocinando, Marilù, Por Encima Del Nivel (Sandunguera) , Soy Todo(Ay Dios Ampárame), Anda Ven y Quiereme, Ven Ven Ven, No Pidas Mas Presta’o, Somos Cubanos

Keep your ear to the ground for more info or check out DJMelao on timba.com with the latest from Miami.

Reggaeton/Regueton......