HOT TIP: Havana D'Primera

It's hardly news but I wanted to enthuse about Alexander Abreu's new orquesta "Havana D'Primera".

You can't imagine the joys of a matinee at Casa de La Musica, Havana with the silky vocals of Alexander wrapping you up and carrying you through his beautiful creations. And this was how I first heard them live and fell in love. This love is bittersweet as there are currently no recordings to whet your appetites with but.....here's a few vids to make do in the meantime.

The first gives you a litttle hint as to what he's most famous for


Here's one of my faves(thanks to muchoswing.com and Cubavision)

Salsa Insomnia- Brand NEW Cuban night in Northern England!

At last, we have our AUTHENTIC, brand new Cuban night in the North of England. The only place to offer this kind of thing, we bring you the latest in Cuban tunes from the streets and clubs of Havana!!!

For a limited time, we're offering FREE ENTRY to the first 50 people.

Don't miss out!!!!

Mojito- Live Cuban Salsa @ Copacabana, Manchester, UK

Are you in Manchester on Weds October 15th 2008? Then you HAVE to catch Manchester's hottest Cuban Salsa Band @ Copacabana, 5 Dale St, Mcr!!!!



Here's what their press release says:

"COPACABANA PROUDLY PRESENTS 5 PIECE CUBAN SALSA BAND MOJITO!

Fronted by the enigmatic Damian from Havana, this salsa band have an eclectic mix of styles, ranging from the classic to the modern. Their energy and power create a party atmosphere from the outset.

Their vibrant electricity is sure to pack the dancefloor.

THIS IS THE NIGHT THAT EVERYONE IS TALKING ABOUT! DON'T MISS IT! RESERVE YOUR TICKET NOW!"

£6 in advance, £8 on the door

Call: Paula on 07879 405957 or Andre on 07974 640541


See you there?

Adalberto y Su Son- Gozando En La Habana

The man and his band have done it again, and they just keep doing it! This is album 20-something and he still delivers the smooth, instantly loveable and memorable Son that he is renowned for. Will this man ever stop?

It's like he only has to breathe to create a new theme as his sound is so effortless, and distinctive and this release marks 35 years of continued success for EL Caballero de Son from Camaguey. Along with the 'oldies' such as Cesar Pedroso and Juan Formell who have been around forever, he manages to keep the sound popular, universal and modern.
Two new hits 'Gozando En La Habana' and 'Amor de Mentira' kicks off the albums and are currently being worshiped on their home turf, complete with super-modern videos- how does he do it?

Gozando En La Habana (on telly)


As testament to his longivity and legendary status, 2 pupurris are included on the album- one dedicated to the 90s and the second, later on to the 80s (for those who remember!)They slip from one song into the next effortlessly and remind of the sheer number of hits they have had.

As another blast from the past (and maybe something for the other oldies!), there is a new, delicious version of the classic 'Camina y Prende El Fogon', made famous by Conjunto Chappottin.
See below for the original :-)


The rest of the album delivers more- It's reliable Adalberto, maintaining the strength of lonely Son in a world of timba and reggaeton...

BUY IT!!

Manolito y Su Trabuco- Control (review) 2008

We waited and waited and waited for this year’s offering from the fantastic Manolito y Su Trabuco- ready for the meaty tracks that explode as soon as your finger hits the play button, and we were....well,....disappointed.
Don’t get me wrong. This is not a bad album and I still consider the group the greatest talent in Cuba today but this is just not what we expected.

The album slides towards our ears gently with ‘Relampago’, one of the numerous tracks penned by Amaray, now the band’s longest running member. We pass onto ‘Loco Por Tus Besos’ which is another relaxed, romantic tune complete with guitar and teclado sounds that are reminiscent of Manolito from the 90s. The same guitar introduces track 3 and El Nor’s debut recording with the group. This new singer straight from Maikel Blanco’s Salsa Mayor has a distinctive timbre and this track doesn’t do his voice justice. Perhaps this one was meant for his predecessor ‘El Indio’.

‘La Habana Me Llama’ is the super-popular track currently being blasted through the club sound systems of Havana and for a good reason- the arrangements are fab and the track builds, dies, builds and climaxes into the catchy coro that you will find yourself singing when you least expect it!

‘Collecionista de Canciones’ and ‘Corazon’ are more romantic Amaray offerings- not bad but not exactly slamming stuff.

Mayami’s bassy, rough vocals sex it up a little with ‘Muevete’ which grooves and gives us some of the Manolito we know and love and is one of the best tracks on the album Though some say that Mayami lacks in the vocal department, his talents lie elsewhere (lol) and brings something slightly raw to the album.

‘Niebla de Riachuelo’ features Andy Montanez on vocals and is more romantic stuff, then ‘Guines Que Le Pasa A Tata’ is another guest track by the legend Tata Guines who died earlier this year. Though good, why are these tracks on the album?
‘Popurri’ winds up several classic tracks together, but I can’t help feeling that the originals are far, far better and the salsaton ‘Control’ is more Manolito style but sadly is a bow to the reggaeton craze.

I’m disappointed. What happened guys? There are a few good tracks on the album, but as I said before, this is not the Manolito y Su Trabuco we know and love. Maybe too much writing opportunity has been given to Amaray (who is ever-fond of romantica) or maybe they are losing their recording momentum...They still ROCK live and it’s definitely worth seeing them as much as possible in Havana, but this recording is almost like a different band, a different genre, a different time.

Buy it, but don’t expect it to be like the other albums.

CARNVAL DE CUBA 2008, London

BE THERE!

You can't miss Charanga Habanera, Telmary Diaz, Sur Caribe and Eminencia Clasica all completely FREE in London...

28th and 29th June 2008

check out
http://www.carnaval-de-cuba.com

Back in Europe......

Your warrior has returned!!! After a 3 month absence battling in contradictory Cuba, I'm finally back in Manchester, UK and back to fight the corner for Cuban music in the UK.

I'm not such a dedicated blogger as some, and the internet access from Havana is, well, super-slow and that's being kind. Hence no updates for a while. I will try my hardest to update you on all of the goings-on in the sunny isle as I try to settle back into a European summer.

You know what is cheering me me up for now? Carnaval de Cuba, London returns this 28/29th June- YAY!.....