Feliz Cumpleaños Aisar!

Aisar Hernández celebrates his birthday today!

Congratulations Aisar from everyone at Timba.com!

Tonight is a unique opportunity for Cuban music fans to see what is in my opinion the most hardcore of all the bands today: Elito Revé y Su Charangón and to celebrate the birthday of one of the most talented young musicians in Cuba today: Aisar Hernández, bassist and musical director of the Charangón. His brilliant arrangements and amazing bass style are a huge asset to the band. Like Elio Revé Matos, Elito Revé has a rare talent for finding the best and the brightest musicians and forming them into the monsters of Cuban music.

So here is my recommendation to the people of New York and anyone who lives close enough. Take a plane, a train, an automobile or even a bike to SOBs tonight. The concert will blow your mind and afterwards you can buy Aisar a drink and wish him well on his birthday...and no, I don't know how old he is. Oh, and someone send me a better picture of Aisar for his page at Timba.com please.

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domingo, 11 julio 2010, 09:47 pm

Giraldo Piloto in Cannes - Photo ©Patrick Bonnard

While Elito Revé y Su Charangón are blowing minds in the US, the European Tour Season is also underway. Pepitín sent us a message yesterday saying that the Trabuco was back in Europe. Check here for Manolito's complete list of tour dates. And Giraldo Piloto & Klímax are already touring, but you still have time to catch them at Festival Bayamo in Seyne-sur-Mer on July 18 and Latinoamericando in Milan on July 19th.

Patrick Bonnard saw them in Cannes on July 2nd and has shared some of his outstanding photos with us. He promises a full report later but in brief he said:
I send you photos of Klimax 1st european show in Cannes at "Palais du Festival", you know where the movie stars...:) It's been 13 years since they had a concert here in France. The show was explosive, one of the best of this year. i'll try to send you later a little report...photos from Paris concert to follow. Elpidio Chapottin and German Velazco are joining the whole tour. Maraca was in the audience in Paris as they rehearse here for their Monterey All Stars project (Rotterdam 11th of July concert). Try to catch Klimax if you can, they sound wonderful.

Take Patrick's advice and don't miss this chance to see Klímax. Click here to see the Cannes photogallery.

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lunes, 05 julio 2010, 10:45 pm

The floodgates have opened and the tours just keep coming. The latest news is that the visas have been approved for Adalberto Álvarez y Su Son and they plan to tour the US already in July! As soon as we have the concert dates we'll let you know. El Caballero del Son is also about to release a new CD, "El Son de Altura", which has 10 tracks as well as a bonus live track. A single, "Vete", has already been released.

Adalberto Alvarez y Su Son But that's not all! Adalberto is celebrating 35 years with a DVD/CD set called "Que suena el son" that was just released on July 1st. The CD contains 15 songs including collaborations with a number of guest artists such as Omara Portuondo, Frank Fernandez and María Victoria, Orquesta Aragón and Grupo Rumbatá. The DVD includes a concert in Karl Marx Theatre, the documentary "Son para un sonero", a photo gallery, sheet music for Adalberto's songs (a treasure trove for musicians) and even a karaoke of Adalberto's hits for your Cuban parties and much more!

Adalberto Álvarez y Su Son will be touring Europe in November, so have a little patience if you live here in Europe. Buy the DVD and the new CD when it is released and that should tide you over until the band arrives.

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sábado, 03 julio 2010, 04:16 am

Elito Reve y su Charangon

Get ready for the New Explosion! Elito Reve arrives in the US on Sunday followed by su Charangón on Thursday July 8th. The band will hold its first concert on July 9. And all you charangoneros will be thrilled to hear that the tour will be extended to one month! This information comes directly from Elito Revé himself! We are obviously lacking most of the concert dates so send me an e-mail with any missing dates you know about and I will update their tour page.

The band is in the process of releasing their new CD "¿De que estamos hablando?". I have heard the entire CD and it is likely to be the best of 2010. The band is already performing several of the songs live. For the latest scoop on what you can expect in concert see Gabriel's post at Yemayá's Verse about her carnaval trip with the Charangón.

The charangón has a few new members since I saw them last. Among the singers we now have Emilio who you know from Tumbao Habana and Suzel who was with Sello L.A. Additionally there is now a full-time keyboardist, Gretchen Revé. On the new album Emilio sings lead om "Niña relájate", "La Nueva Explosión", "A Matanzas" (a tasty guaguancó), and the hit "Agua pa' Yemayá". Suzel sings lead on the son montuno remake of "Ya sé bailar, ya sé cantar". Sinsonte interprets the funny song "Open the door" and there is a real changüí with invitados Pipi de Yateras y sus Estrellas Campesinas, Chucho Valdés and Cotó. The rest of the album is expertly handled by veteran vocalist Dagoberto. You have a lot to look forward to at the upcoming US concerts. For Cuban music fans and salseros this is another must not miss tour!

¿De que estamos hablando? Ya tú verás!!