by Kevin Moore - ©2009

Azúcar Negra's First Recordings

Azúcar Negra debuted in April of 1998. Later that year they recorded 4 demo tracks: Almas disfrazada, Vengo de estreno, Tratado de timba y salsa, and Te traicionó el subconciente. These were all written by Limonta, sung by Haila Mompié, and arranged by Rafael Vargas, the bassist who also came to the group from Bamboleo. These 4 tracks are timba masterpieces in every way. Tragically they were the only recordings made by the original group. Three of them were once available on the mp3.com album mentioned below. They were also sold as a bootleg in Havana in the late 90s. All but Almas disfrazadas were re-recorded on subsequent Azúcar Negra albums. It's possible that Almas never made it on to an album because, like Charanga Habanera's Usa condón, it was a public service "safe sex" message song. However, also like Usa condón, it's one of the greatest timba songs, arrangements and vocal performances.

After Vargas was replaced by Adalberto "El Bamba" Domínguez, four more demo tracks were recorded (also sold on the same Havana bootleg). These were Qué viva la vida, Eres como yo, Andar andando, and Café con leche. All were subsequently re-recorded, but in my opinion, the originals had better vocal harmonies, especially on Que viva la vida.

With the release of “Andar Andando”, Azucar Negra has produced a timba classic for the new millenium. The dynamic duo of writer-arranger, Leonel Limonta and vocalist Haila Mompie (both founders of another powerhouse group, Bamboleo), have come up with a delicious blend of rhythms that will grab hold of both dancer and listener alike.

The title track, “Andar Andando” grooves along nicely, featuring a smooth, cool arrangement up until the soneos by Mompie, which come in at the end, making the song reach a steaming climax. Another killer tune on the record, “Se acabo la rabia” is powered by great choruses, funky horn lines and again shows Haila’s exciting vocal command. Newcomer, Alexander Lara shows off his skills on a humdinger of a cut, “Tiralo pa’l agua”. This is a slammin’ timba gem, comparable to anything out on the street right now by the giants of the genre. This song mixes intense vocals and catchy-as-hell choruses with great piano riffs, slinky horns and driving basslines. This cut will make you bump and grind to the “tembleque” on the dance floor! Lara gets down and dirty again with a super-confident bravado vocal on “Eres como yo”, another tour-de-force scorcher. This track jumps at you with a guaguanco opening that gathers full strength with young pianoman deluxe, Aismar Simon’s rocking, sweaty tumbaos and the horns shooting short, biting blasts of pure ecstacy (even quoting pello el afrokan’s “mozambique” in the process!!!! ). The album comes to a blazing close with a better-than-the –original, Bamboleo staple, “No me parezco a nadie”. This version is a modern standard, containing all the ingredients that make timba one of the most exciting dance musics in the world today. Get a dose of funky black sugar magic and get rid of your musical woes forever!

Vengo de Estreno

Vengo de Estreno is a short and inexpensive CD that could once be bought through mp3.com.

The tracks are as follows:

1 "Vengo de Estreno (Going In Style)"
2 "Café con Leche (Coffee with Milk)"
3 "Te Traicionó el Subconciente"
4 "Eres Como Yo (You're Just Like Me)"
5 "Tan Solo Tú (For Only You)"
6 "Almas Disfrazadas (Souls in Disguise)"