International Timba Month has hit Venezuela in the form of Maykel Blanco y Su Salsa Mayor. They will perform their Venezuelan debut concert this Saturday in Barquisimeto. Fans are thrilled to finally get an opportunity to see Los Mayores en vivo. Maykel has been working hard over the past few years to really put together not only a great musical repertiore, but also a well-rehearsed, fun performance that makes Salsa Mayor arguably the best timba show in Havana today.

Los Mayores will be in Venezuela for five concerts. Click here to see the list of concert dates. If you are not fortunate enough to be in Venezuela, you can console yourself with the brilliant new DVD/CD "Cerrando Filas" available at iTunes and other digital retailers. Here is a personal message for the Venezuelan fans from the Maykel Blanco y su Salsa Mayor official Facebook page.

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A new Beyond Salsa mini-documentary and two musical treasures. The documentary is on Beyond Salsa Bass, Vol. 2: Arsenio, Cachao and The Golden Age of the 50s, but especially about Arsenio Rodríguez, the mid-century musical visionary whom I call "the first timbero". 

The second link is for a brand new demo from the most exciting lineup El Pikete has put together, featuring the great Reinier Guerra on drums and many other top Miami players.

Click here for El Pikete: Mi detalle.

Finally, we have two never-released-on-CD Arsenio tracks from his absolute prime.

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Hay Un Run Run is the first single and video for Septeto Santiaguero's new double-album: No Quíero Llanto, Tributo A Los Compadres. The tune features José Alberto and a fantastic vocal-only breakdown with clever (mouth) percussion effects. A real hoot! 

The album is a collaboration with Dominican Salsa Star José Alberto (El Canario) -- who also co-produced the work -- and will be released on his record label. The songs are a tribute to the famous trova duo Los Compadres, of which Compay Segundo of Buena Vista Social Club fame was once tresero and singer. The release date is May 12. 

It also features a slew of incredible artists: Osacar D'León, Eliades Ochoa, Andy Montañez, recent Latin Grammy & Grammy Nominee Aymee Nuviola, Ismael Miranda, Tiburón Morales, Grupo Esencia from Puerto Rico (their track Sarandonga is gold!) and Edwin Bonilla.

Check out Bill Tilford's review (English and Spanish) here or click on the album cover below...

Also very cool is this "making of" video, in which José Alberto and the members of the septeto speak about Los Compadres and their influence on Cuban music and the "son" genre. I especially like the part that discusses the use of whistling that became a unique stamp of the classic santiaguero group that preceded the septeto. Here it is... 

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Not taking time to rest from their recent European tour, David Calzado y Su Charanga Habanera are touring Canada. They have performed in Toronto and Vancouver. On Wednesday they will be in Edmonton, AB and Friday in Montreal, QC. They are performing a mix of new songs, recent hits and classic medleys. The boys are always a great time so don't miss the show! Here is a link for Edmonton tickets. And click here for tickets to the Montreal show. As a little preview here is a clip form the new song "Arriba de lo mal hecho" performed in Vancouver.

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