A unique event for Timberos is taking place in Cali, Colombia on August 5th. Two of the most popular representatives of the new generation of timberos will face off mano a mano at theater Jorge Isaacs:. Tirso Duarte and Maykel Blanco y Salsa Mayor. Cali has hosted Tirso before where he was met by screaming fans who knew every song by heart. This will be Maykel Blanco y Salsa Mayor's first concert in Colombia! So don't miss your chance to catch Tirso and Maykel at the same time! I'll let Tirso tell you about it himself.

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I am really enjoying the new video/song La Pelirroja by Klímax. Noel Díaz sings lead vocals and there are moments while Noel is "rapping" where it has almost a Charanga Habanera "the second incarnation" feel to it. Noel is also the composer of the song and I must congratulate him on an excellent job. Interestingly, Piloto wrote a song called Pelirroja for the first incarnation of La Charanga Habanera. It was on the Hey You, Loca!   CD with Leo Vera on lead.

But this is not the same song. It's a completely new song with a masterful, classic Klímax arrangement.  The harmonies Piloto uses are unmistakable. I highly recommend this song to DJs!  Disfruten ahora a La Pelirroja ! (Currently #2 on RADIO TIMBA ). 

Klímax - La Pelirroja

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It's finally out! Today was the official release of Soneros All Stars new single, the timba version of La Habana Tiene Su Meneo , featuring Lesmer Solenzar (Klímax, NG La Banda) on lead vocals. Yanesito has done something rather unusual with this song, he has recorded two versions of it. I'm not talking about the typical ballad version and a salsa version. He has recorded two dance versions: a hardcore, flaming timba single which has been released today, and a classy sonero version with El Indio, El Sinsonte and Pepitín on lead.

To find out what Yanesito had in mind with this dual-version song, I had a little talk with him in Stockholm. Click here to read the interview where he explains why he recorded the song in two versions as well as gives us some interesting behind-the-scenes gossip from the recording session at ICRT Studios in Havana. As of today you will find the Timba version of La Habana Tienen Su Meneo at iTunes, Spotify and other retailers. Enjoy the official video below.

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Leonel Limonta & Azúcar Negra are the talk of the town with their new singer line-up and the new CD Se acabó el pescao that will be released later this month. You have probably heard that when Tania Pantoja left Bamboleo for a solo career, Ailyn moved to Bamboleo. This left an opening for a new female singer, and I have been very curious about who Limonta would find to fill the spot.

The new leading lady of Azúcar Negra is 26-year-old Havana native, Ingrid Leyva Fuentes. Limonta found her singing with the small group Calle Cuba. She has a voice with a timbre that sounds like a mix of Tania and Ailyn and a tremendous stage presence. I might add that a number of men have pointed out that she is also quite attractive, which is always a plus in the world of show business.

Other new faces in the Azúcar Negra front line include Pavel "La Figura" who sings the title track from the upcoming album Se acabó el pescao. His voice is in top form and he remains one of Havana's most entertaining performers. El menor among the singers is 20-year-old Leisdel Gonzáles, the very good-looking nephew of none other than Manolín, El Médico de la Salsa. He has become Havana's new heartthrob and sings lead on the track La vida es . Rounding out the front line is Yurisan Hernández, lead singer on A mí La Habana .

Having finally seen the current lineup thanks to muchoswing.com and Cubavision, I am very pleased to say that they sound fantastic! The band has great energy, arrangements that call you to the dance floor and as always Limonta's lyrics are creative and intelligent, and the coros are infectious. Stay tuned for our full report on the CD, coming soon. In the meantime, here are a few words from Limonta himself and a look at Ingrid singing lead on "Perrita Fina", also known as "Sacúdate que tienes arena".

Dice Leonel Limonta a los fanes: "Como se acabó el pescao se acabó el abuso Azúcar Negra está dando que hablar con sus nuevos cantantes y nuevo CD , es el suceso de la Habana y toda Cuba."

Azúcar Negra "Perrita Fina"- cantante Ingrid Leyva

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