Monthly Archives: October 2015

30.10.15 : Cuba Jam – Mi Nina

Good day dear readers!

Today I’m glad to present a very nice and romantic salsa song by the wonderful Cuba Jam from Leningrad!

As veteran followers of the blog will surely remember, I posted one of their songs back in the day, and liked their CD very much.

The song presented today is a salsa romantica, but with lots of Cuban sabor, energy and rhythm.

Salsa romantica means a very simple thing – it’s a salsa song with romantic lyrics.
It means nothing about tempo, complexity or the presence (or absence) of this or that elements of Cuban music.
If an alleged salsa song lacks some of the rhythmic or structural elements of the genres composing “salsa” music (which are mainly Son Montuno, Mambo, Guaracha and Guaguanco-Son), it is not a “salsa” song at all, but something else, for better or worse.

Personally, I love the lyrics Boris Hecha writes very much, and can sympathize a lot with them.
Maybe it’s because both he and I are Russian, born and raised in the Russian culture, so possibly we somewhat think alike.
Regardless of the reasons, I’m quite fond of the coro of this song:
“El dia,
el dia entero junto a ti,
es como vivir la vida de nuevo,
las noches de locura”

Well, Disruten!
You can find the whole album on the band’s channel on youtube, or just follow the suggestions present on the page of this song…

23.10.15 : Santa Palabra – Levantate

Good day dear readers!

Today I’m glad to present a very nice Son composition by the group “Santa Palabra” from Trinidad, Cuba.

They are a very talented yet modest bunch from the central regions of Cuba, and mostly play traditional Cuban music, and quite beautifully!

The group released 1 album so far called “levantate con amor y sentimiento”, to which the fine composition I present you today belongs.

Disfreten!

09.10.15 : David Alvarez y Juego de Manos – Proposicion Enamorada

Good evening dear readers!

Today I present you a nice band from Cuba named “David Alvarez y Juego de Manos”, founded and led by composer, musician, singer and arranger David Alvarez from Manzanillo, Cuba.

Once a member of the “nueva trova” movement, and later a member of the group of Pedro Luis Ferrer, he founded his of band in 1994, spreading over a wide variety of musical genres, including Son, Rumba, nueva trova, Bolero, Guaracha, Guajira, cancion, and also fusions of those with various other genres.

The band toured Latin America and some parts of Europe, and received several awards for albums such as Rimasones and Mundo Loco, the album on which the fine Son presented here can be found.
Also, the groups performed with such great musicians as Compay Segundo, Eliades Ochoa and Chucho Valdez.

Disfruten!

02.10.15 : 20 years of Timba in 2 hours !

Good day dear readers!

Today I shall present you an interesting collection which was recently uploaded to youtube.

The good people at planet records gathered 22 of the most iconic, well known and high quality Timba songs from the 1980’s and 1990’s, and brought them together in an easily accessible collection (and even placed images related to each song while it plays!).
These are all great masterpieces of Songo & Timba, made by artists of the “primera linea”, including NG La Banda, Los Van Van, Orquesta Reve, Manolito y su Trabuco, Paulito FG, Manolin (el medico de la salsa) and many other great figures.

So, regardless if you’re cleaning the house, cooking, working out at home or just have a bit more than 2 free hours on your hands, turn on your stereo system, plug in your headphones, and let the fun begin !

Disfruten!