A photo of my copy of "Llegó la Verdad" on the seat by my departure gate

I totally lucked out! I took a very brief trip to Cuba where I was never able to hook up with Emilio Frias "El Niño" and Pachy Jr. for the interview I have been wanting to about La Verdad. But as luck would have it, while going through security at José Martí airport, I looked up and saw that just two people ahead of me in  line was Emilio. They were on their way to Cancún for the Mayan congress. We hugged, he introduced me to his mom and he gave me the very first copy of the new CD "Llegó La Verdad". Hot off the presses! I knew the news would be out by the time I reached Stockholm (a 16 hour trip) but at least I know I was the very first person to get a copy. As I expected, it is a brilliant album worth the wait. A full review will be coming soon, but let me just say that the songs you have already heard as demos have been re-recorded/re-mixed and sound better than ever. There are 3 songs I haven't heard at all previously. Also worth noting, the new version of "La Mata" no longer features El Micha like the demo did, and "Seguir viviendo" is a Manolito Simonet arrangement with an intro that really brings to mind a "Loco por tus besos" vibe.

Below is a track & genre listing, which you might find interesting. All arrangements are by Wifredo Naranjo "Pachy Jr." and Dayron Ortega except as listed below. The hard copy is on sale in Havana at the EGREM stores. I don't know yet what the iTunes and other digital outlets release date will be.

1. La verdad (son)
2. Ese soy yo (son)
3. Dime cuanto (son)
4. Mi música (son)
5. Seguir viviendo (son - arr. & piano Manolito Simonet)
6. Loco pero te amo (son)
7. La mata (mozambique)
8. Verdad amarga (bolero - arr. Emilio Vega)
9. Piénsalo (timba feat. El Yonky)
10. Yo sí camino La Habana (son)

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continue reading Timbera Mayor

ENGLISH:   Mezcla performed at the World Music Festival in Millennium Park in Chicago on Friday, September 12 - you can see a photo gallery here.   Their tour of the United States continues for the next few weeks, and their new album, Pure Mezcla, is scheduled for release in November. 
You can hear segments of an extended interview (in Spanish) with Pablo Menéndez on the radio show Domingos Felices during the next few Sundays along with some music from the group. 
On Saturday, September 20, Chuchito Valdés returns to Chicago, and the percussionist for this session, Joaquin Pozo "El Pulpo", will give a percussion clinic on Sunday, September 21.  For full details, see the Report From Chicago Events & Reviews page. 

ESPAÑOL:  Mezcla actuó en el Festival de Música Mundial en el Parque del Milenio en Chicago el viernes 12 de Septiembre - se puede ver una galería de fotos aquí. Su gira por los Estados Unidos continúa durante las próximas semanas, y su nuevo álbum, Pure Mezcla, tiene previsto su lanzamiento en noviembre. 
Se puede escuchar segmentos de una entrevista extendida (en español) con Pablo Menéndez en el programa de radio Domingos Felices durante los próximos domingos junto con un poco de la música del grupo. 
El sábado,  20 de septiembre, Chuchito Valdés vuelve a Chicago de septiembre, y el percusionista para esta sesión, Joaquín Pozo "El Pulpo", dará una clínica de percusión el domingo, 21 de septiembre. Para más detalles, véase el informe en la página  Report From Chicago Events & Reviews.

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continue reading Sin Clave No Hay Na

Mezcla, one of Cuba's most important fusion bands, begins a tour of the United States this week beginning with the World Music Festival in Millennium Park in Chicago  on Friday,  September 12.  As this is being written, the finishing touches are being put on a new recording, Pure Mezcla, which will be released November 1, 2014. (Those of you in radio and the press can write yours truly, Bill Tilford, for more details about the recording.)    This is is raw footage from Mezcla's 2013 concert at Yoshi's in Oakland.:

This tour will be using the same personnel as this concert. This edition of the group relies more heavily on Pablo's guitar than most previous versions  of the group, and he delivers.  For the complete tour itinerary and more, visit Mezcla's website.  And stay tuned for Pure Mezcla, coming in November. 

La Timba, along with other new Cuban music,  is frequently an orphan in many radio stations that play other Caribbean music, so I'm pleased to tell you Frank Camacho and I now are playing a fair share of it (along with other music) on a brand new radio show, Domingos Felices, every Sunday afternoon from 2-4pm Chicago time.  In metro Chicago, you can hear it on WCEV 1450am.  The rest of the planet can listen to it via Internet here.  Hablamos español, pero la música es pa' todo el mundo. Tenemos entrevistas y otras cosas buenas también.  Tenemos una nueva página en Facebook:  Domingos Felices Radio1450

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The final day of SJ Jazz was historic. Here's Part 1 of Tom Ehrlich's mega-gallery.

                      At the Main Stage: Jhair Sala, guest star Calixto Oviedo, Pedrito Martínez

Tito Matos, Kianí Medina and Juan Martínez of Viento de Agua

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continue reading La Última