Our friend in Havana Chucho El Rey de la Salsa reports that BAMBOLEO's first concert of the year was attended by 3000+ fans, mostly 18-30 year olds and very well dressed beautiful ladies.  In his opinion the outdoor venue La Tropical is the "thermometer" by which the popularity of the Cuban music scene, and its reception in the world, is measured -if you can pack La Tropical you can pack any venue. 

He also reports that, after many years, master percussionist from Puerto Rico Giovanni Hidalgo is set to perform in Cuba along woth Orlando "Maraca" Valle and other music greats. He states that because Giovanni has a very special set of hands he is well regarded and respected by many percussionists in Cuba. 

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continue reading Pa' Ponerte en Talla

Tumbao Habana's long-awaited CD, Mambo duro, is finally available to the general public. The CD was supposed to be released in the summer of 2009 but was delayed. It was available this fall in France but it wasn't until December that it came out in the rest of the world. We will have a full CD review soon but for the moment I will say that it has some killer tracks on it such as my personal favorite "Padrino", the title track "Mambo duro" and a new version of the beautiful anthem "A la familia cubana", this time as a duet with guest singer Alexander Abreu. 

As with past CDs, bandleader Pascualito Cabrejas has put together an album with a mix of music styles ranging from timba to son to bachata to ballad, which makes this a CD you can take with you to "latin" parties since it has a little something for everyone. Stay tuned for the full review. in the meantime here is the track list.

Track list: 
Y tu quisieras saber 
Padrino 
A la familia cubana (with Alexander Abreu) 
No hay como mi son (son)
No me conformo (bachata)
Ella no tiene na' 
Candela 
Mambo duro 
Devuelveme la vida (ballad)
No te rompas la cabeza 
De que lado esta la luna 
La nena

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continue reading Timbera Mayor

The first show is SOLD OUT so a second show has been added for Charanga Habanera at SOBs Saturday night. Click here for tickets.

SOB's website show another band playing an earlier show at 8pm but the CH show (at 1:00 a.m.) is definitely happening. Get your ticket now or you'll be llorando en Nueva York!

Tiempo Libre plays SOBs later this month, on Friday, January 22.

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Bay Area son band Pellejo Seco has a new album, La idea, and will be playing tracks from it at Yoshi's in Oakland next Tuesday, January 12. The new album includes a special session recorded with members of Septeto Nacional last month.

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continue reading La Última