Ahi-Nama

Video with La Barriada

2011-06-16T10:03:00.001+02:00

Fiesta Latina at the White House

2011-05-30T15:43:00.003+02:00

Invited by president Obama, a number of latin artists were invited to an evening with much latin music. Among the artist were Marc Anthony, Gloria Estefan, José Felicifiano and Thalia. Enjoy!

Cuban Salsa Night at the The Wharf

2011-05-09T17:13:00.006+02:00

Visiting London in May we were close to Teddington where the restaurant The Wharf is offering salsa dancing to the UK latin band Palenke the first Wednesday of every month. The band is fronted by Adriana Santana, called "Queen of Salsa".

By having dinner there you go free from the GBP 5 non-eating guests have to pay. The audiance was mixed in terms of age, dancing skills and origin.

Dimanche Gras 2011 Finals Calypso Monarch KARENE ASCHE won $2 million Tr...

2011-03-17T19:05:00.001+01:00

Dimanche Gras 2011 Finals Calypso Monarch KARENE ASCHE won $2 million Tr...

2011-03-09T19:22:00.000+01:00

Adalberto Alvarez y su Son på Viking Cinderella

2011-01-17T22:13:00.006+01:00

We did not miss the chance to listen and dance to one of the most remarkable Cuban Salsa bands: Adalberto Alvarez y su Son this Sunday 16 January within the entertainment theme "Dance Revolucion" which the ferry line Viking Line is presenting during one month from now on. It is really a chance for the Swedish dancing community to meet the most advanced salsa music in World Class.

Salsa in "Klingan"

2011-01-11T18:50:00.003+01:00

Every Sunday at 11 (11 AM) the Swedish radio is in its Channel 2 (P2) sending 1 hour of world music. Last Sunday the theme was "A lesson in Salsa" featuring the 10 year old book by Sue Stewart: Salsa - musical heartbeat of Latin America.

King Pungwa new Calypso Monarch in St Kitts and Nevis

2011-01-07T13:19:00.005+01:00

King Pungwa became the new 2010/2011 Calypso Monarch in St Kitts and Nevis on 29 December 2010 detronizing Socrates, the Calypso Monarch last year. King Pungwa, whose career as a calypsonian started in 1995 and had won the Monarchy in 2001 and 2002, tallied 796 points singing ‘Hang Them High’ in the first round and ‘Take de Old Clothes Off’ in the second. In ‘Hang Them High’, King Pungwa advocated the use of the gallows for all those who chose to take the lives of their fellow men, while the second rendition spoke to the hypocritical behaviour of some pastors who dip their hands in the kitty; division and sexual pervasiveness in the church; and the coming of the Antichrist, whom he said is already present in the church. He called on wrongdoers to ‘Take de Old Clothes Off’ by changing their evil ways and live a life that is in keeping with righteousness.

Socrates, a five-time Monarch, was relieved of his crown by a mere two points. In the first round, which many patrons said was the better of his renditions, he sang a song entitled ‘Mortgage’ in which he addressed the Speaker of the National House of Assembly on a number of political issues, noting that the country is heavily indebted and has mortgaged many acres of land, While calling on the Prime Minister to tender his resignation. In that round, he had a slide presentation display to augment his props, used his hands to emphasise his points and his word craft was in sync with the music. In the second round, he sang a song called ‘Still Sorry’. This rendition spoke to past and current issues in Haiti. Socrates sang about the Haitian Revolution and that country being the first republic ruled by African ancestry, events for which Haitians were never forgiven by the developed countries. He also noted the many crises the people of Haiti suffered and still suffering, and that even countries in the Caribbean region had turned their backs on the impoverished nation.

Cuban salsa festival on the ferry ships between Sweden and Finland

2010-12-31T21:35:00.005+01:00

The ferry line Viking Line is bringing hundreds of Cuban musicians and dancers to five of its ships trafficking Stockholm and three harbors in Finland (Mariehamn, Åbo/Turku, Helsingfors/Helsinki). From 16 January to 13 February 2011 we can enjoy five Cuban salsa bands:

Adalberto Alvarez y su Son
Charanga Forever
Tumbao Habana
Osdalgia
Yumurí y sus Hermanos

It is remarkable to get such high quality music to Scandinavia. I personally heard Tumbao Habana already 1 year after their debut in Palacio de la Salsa in Hotel Habana Riviera, Havana in October 1998. All bands are represented on You Tube.

King Socrates

2010-12-24T20:53:00.003+01:00

During a visit to St Kitts and Nevis I discovered its Calypso Monarch 2009'10, King Socrates. With his "Let Justice Reign" he regained the crown. It was nice to see that the social commentary calypso is still alive in the Caribbean region.

Filo Machado

2010-04-16T19:15:00.004+02:00

A link thanks to Deanna Witkowski.

ABBA-Benny and Tommy Körberg in Trosa

2009-08-27T10:49:00.005+02:00

Saturday evening, the small little town, Trosa, where I live, arranged a cultural event called: "KULTUR(F)NATT".

At the small market place, there was entertainment all evening. The highlight was a performance of the two world famous artists living in our town: Benny Andersson and Tommy Körberg.

If you do not know Tommy, he became known internationally when he played one of the leading roles against Elain Page during the original set up in London of the musical "Chess "

Here is another link to a You Tube-clip in which you can here his abilities.

Danson

2009-08-26T10:04:00.000+02:00

Danson
Found this Danish salsa-band and the blog "Salsa bloggen" (see below)

Salsa Bloggen | Salsa i Malmö, Lund och Köpenhamn

2009-08-26T10:00:00.001+02:00

Salsa Bloggen | Cuban salsa in Malmö, Lund and Copenhagen: A blog in Swedish covering salsa events in Southern Sweden, including You Tube favorites, CD-reviews, and a Grooveshark widget with Salsa music favorites.

Calle Real - Me lo gané - DN.se

2009-08-26T09:18:00.001+02:00

Calle Real - Me lo gané - DN.se
The titel track of the new CD from the Swedish Timba-band Calle Real. Haven´t got the CD yet, but this full track sounds great! You can listen to or download 10 of the 11 tracks on goodnoise.com

Jazz on steel pan

2009-06-05T21:58:00.000+02:00

Rudy Smith on MySpace Music - Free Streaming MP3s, Pictures & Music Videos

This summer the Swedish Hot Pans Steelband will visit our little town Trosa on the 17 July 2009. Its history is linked to the Trinidad & Tobago musician Rudy Smith, living in Copenhagen, Denmark. Even if I am not especially attracted by the music coming out of steelbands, I find Rudy worth listening to.

Viña Del Mar 2009: The Magic and Mystery of Latin American Music | santiago chile entertainment ar

2009-03-15T16:16:00.003+01:00

The annual Latin American "Festival de la Cancion" in Viña del Mar, Chile this year celebrated its 50th anniversary 23-28 February 2009. The Saturday night final was devoted to an extra-long performance of Marc Anthony. For us who was not there you can find a most generous sharing on YouTube.
Not only one song, but 9. All with usual ingredients of a live performance, cheers of the fans and long periods of applauds.
1. Valió la Pena 9:59
2. 6:22
3. 6:14
4. 8:59
5. Qué precio tiene el cielo 5:28
6. Ahora quíen 9:29
7. Ahora quíen 8:55
8.
9. Dímelo 9:24

Salsa Top 10 | C-SALSA.COM

2009-02-28T22:36:00.000+01:00

Salsa Top 10 | C-SALSA.COM

ELDIS LA ROSA MONIER

2009-02-28T21:57:00.001+01:00

Eldis La Rosa Monier, Cuban Jazz musician, living in Vienna, Austria. On his first CD Trotando you will enjoy La Rosa Blues.

Gloria Estefan and Mark Antony together

2009-01-06T21:35:00.001+01:00

Singers from Cuba and Puerto Rico, living in the US. Look at their dancing at the end!

YouTube - Mi Tierra (Vivo) Gloria Estefan Y Mark Antony

Crazy - In Time To Come

2008-05-12T11:31:00.000+02:00

YouTube - Crazy - In Time To Come
Good sound, clear lyrics, and typical Crazy hit!

About.com: Latin Music

2008-04-04T16:16:00.000+02:00

The website About.com has a coverage of Latin Music by Tijana Ilich with several interesting Essentials:
Top 10 Merengue/Bachata Albums, Top CD Releases for March 25th, Top Salsa Albums, Top Latin Pop/Rock Albums, Top Music Concerts for March

Radio for Latin (mostly Cuban) music

2008-04-03T13:46:00.002+02:00

By following links from Calle Real, the Swedish Salsa band, I found Pura Timba in Geneva, Switzerland, who then led me to this Radio Rumba Negra. Isn´t it a wonderful example of musical networking?

Pura Timba! Sólo para adictos

2008-04-03T09:53:00.000+02:00

A website covering Timba music, the most advanced Salsa music. News on new recordings by Charanga Habanera, Maolito y su Trabuco, Los Van Van, Maikel Blanco, Pupy Pedroso, Adalberto Alvarez, Elito Revé and other cuban salsa bands. The text is in Spanish, but Timba is universal!! Great site.

Pura Timba!

Afro-beat from Lund, Sweden

2008-03-28T16:56:00.002+01:00

I discovered Sofi Hellborg, just before she released her sixth record Drumming is calling. Today I also found her MySpace site:

MySpace.com - Sofi Hellborg - Lund, SE - Afro-beat / Nu-Jazz / Funk - www.myspace.com/sofihellborg

Bossanova in Lund, Sweden

2008-03-28T16:31:00.001+01:00

An excellent concert of Brazilian bossanovas presented by the singer Daniel Ojeda with Per Lundahl at a sensible guitar. Small-talk in Swedish, but do not let that fact lead you to miss to listen how well Daniel is transforming the originals in Portuguese into the very different Swedish language.
MySpaceTV Videos: VisaNova i Lunds Domkyrka 15 feb 2008. Del 1 by Visa

Lenni-Kalle Taipale

2008-01-03T21:49:00.000+01:00

Lenni-Kalle Taipale

Latin Grammy Awards of 2007

2008-01-03T10:58:00.000+01:00

The Latin Grammy Awards of 2007 was held in Las Vegas, USA on the 8th November and the listings of nominations and awards are giving a good overview of latin music on records 2007. The ceremony was transmitted on one of our Swedish television channels, as a late night entertainment just before the New Years Eve. I thought, better late than never, but I must confess, I was disappointed. No blame on the big winner of the night, Juan Luis Guerra, who won the 5 awards he was nominated for. But taking that as a reason for leaving out so many of the 48 categories, e.g. Best Salsa Album (Category 15), Best Cumbia/Vallenato Album (Category 17), Best Contemporary Tropical Album (Category 18) , made at least me disappointed. I do not know if this "selection" was done in editing for the Swedish audience. Anyhow, with these links you get the facts. By listening to El Gran Combo, Oscar D'Leon, Caetano Veloso you will get what I missed.

The Cook Trio

2008-01-02T22:17:00.000+01:00

The Cook Trio

Gypsy Jazz Guitare from Orlando, Florida is a nice reminder of the fusion of Gypsy music and jazz.
On MySpace they have some good tunes.

Global Music from Global Voices

2008-01-02T20:23:00.001+01:00

Jazz in Moldova

2007-12-22T20:18:00.001+01:00

In conjunction with an EU-mission in Moldova during spring 2007 I had the pleasure to spend some weekends in the country without any work commitments. With my music interest I made a Google search during my first visit on "jazz" and "moldova". Hit number one was The Jazz Hotel, which does not seem to offer much, if you are looking for the music. But hit number 2 was a true hit, Trigon - jazz, folk, ethno

Knowing that the music interest in Moldova was at a high level, I optimistically visited several stores in central Chisinau, asking for a Trigon CD. No results! As this was Saturday, and I had to go back home after lunch on Sunday, I wrote, in desperation, email to the contact address on their web site, asking where I could buy any record with their music. Just around midnight, I got an answer from Natalia Stefanet, regretting that there may not be any stores selling their records in Moldova. She also kindly asked in which hotel I stayed, so that they should be able to deliver some records the following day. We agreed that if we could meet before noon, I should manage to reach my flight back to Sweden. I was really excited, and honored, to meet in the small reception of our hotel, mr Trigon himself, Anatol Stefanet. He explained that most of their CDs were for sale abroad, but that he had brought some of his own copies. Among those, their last CD: Seven steps, from 2005 and Oglinda, from 1998.

Staying at str. Bulgara 26 (Hotel Stella de Lux), it was close to Grill House, at str. Armeneasca 24, who offered live music every night. Most nights I had dinner there, soft jazz was played by different groups. One with Veacheslav Dashevsky at the piano.

On a flight with Air Moldova, I came to read in their in-flight magazine Open Skies, about Geta Burlacu, a Moldovan singer, who seemed to be a real profile. There was a hint in the interview where to find her. She was once a week singing at the 'Old Attic' (Starâi Cerdac). My Moldovan friends told me where I could find 'Old Attic', a music pub on the 4th floor of the shopping centre JUMBO, blvd Decebal 23.

A sunny Sunday we took a long walk on blvd C Negruzzi, blvd Ju Gagarin, passed the Railway station and the Casâ de Culturâ and after some small streets we suddenly found the modern JUMBO and also found 'Old Attic'. They adviced us to come back Friday, when there should be live music.

Friday evening my German friend and me joined the audience at 'Old Attic' to listen to Dmitrii Serghee and his band Right Horns. They pleased me by playing jazz from the 50's which happens to be the period I got absorbed by jazz music. Listen to their interpretation of Thelonius Monk's 'Round Midnight on MySpace. In the break Dmitrii surprised us to propose that we should leave the place in favor of the Jazz Café, str. Albisoara 44, where Geta Burlacu was performing together with the a capella group UniVox. Jazz Café is located on 2nd floor of MuzCafé, and when we just had arrived, Dmitrii and his band, appeared among the Jazz Café audience, having finished there own gig.

When I finally came to hear Geta Burlacu, even if only as part of a choir, Dmitrii offered me two demo CDs which contained different projects:
- Jazz standards
- Ethno jazz
- Latino
I just found a web site dedicated to Moldovian Jazz. Confirms my experience very much, but does not seem to be up-dated any longer.

Calle Real

2007-07-04T20:05:00.000+02:00

Calle Real is a Swedish timba band and their CD Con Fuerza has really impressed on the salsa community.
13 minutes of a Live concert at the Jazz club Fasching in Stockholm, Sweden, give you a good opportunity to hear why.

Manolito y su Trabuco

2007-06-29T22:26:00.000+02:00

Googles YouTube contains a lot of good music videos. Here is Manolito presenting Saliditas Contigo with the singer Ricardo Amaray. One of the best salsa band of the world, in my opinion.

Living With Music » Jan Johansson

2007-06-24T15:51:00.000+02:00

Finally the music by Jan Johansson has now been released on CD. This blog Living With Music - Jan Johanssongives a good introduction.

South African jazz

2006-12-24T19:45:00.000+01:00

My first meeting with South African jazz music was with Dollar Brand, or Abdullah Ibrahim, which is his name today. During the 70's I came to listen to a double cassett: Blues for a Hip King, which still is available on CD.

When I then came to visit South Africa 1995, I got my hand over a Hugh Masekela record: "Hugh Masekela & The Union of South Africa".

When I now returned a second time in November 2006, I spend some time looking for
new samples of South African jazz. Someone recommended Jonas Gwangwa, which I thought I had never heard before. But I was wrong. He was participating on the Masekela recording cited above. But this one was from 2001: "Flowers of the nation"
www.sternsmusic.com/disk_info/CDEPC8177

ANDREAS OBERG

2005-10-20T21:32:00.003+02:00

Guitar has never been a favourite instrument of mine. Here you can listen to the guy who changed my attitude. His MySpace-page illustrates my point.

Milt's Music

2005-10-20T15:45:00.000+02:00

I just found that my last posting is linking to an old blog. In August Milt moved to his new more developed blog with a separate link to the Music part.

Milt's File

2005-10-20T15:24:00.000+02:00

Not really a blog on music, but from time to time Milt is sharing his treasures. See e.g. Friday August 05, 4:33 PM Wonderful Cuban Music or Monday August 01, 9:05 PM A great Count Basie Collection

2005-10-11T11:41:00.000+02:00

Sheila at Salvador-Bahia, Brazil

2005-10-11T11:30:00.000+02:00

The Snickars Family at Tullgarn

The activities of the three members of the Snickars family, Sheila, Tom and myself, are now presented on our web portal. Here you can find Fiber Art and Design by Sheila, Web design services by Tom and Consulting by Folke and Tom. Finally you can share the adventurous traveling of Tom from Europe to Asia by bike.

Bebo Valdés at Calle 54

2005-10-10T22:21:00.000+02:00

As a "gift" from Fidel Castro, Sweden has got one of the Cuban musical legends, Bebo Valdés, the father of the even more famous Chucho Valdés. Bebo left Cuba for Sweden, when Fidel took over, and have never returned. He is now 87 years old, but more active than ever. The Calle 54 Club in Madrid is offering a free track of "Lágrimas Negras".

Calle54 is also the name of the movie from the year 2000 by Fernando Trueba featuring father and son Valdés. Bebo has been awarded several Latin Grammies.

Deanna Witkowski Quartet in Toronto

2005-05-29T21:38:00.000+02:00

My musical jazz journey started as a teenager with a record with Jelly Roll Morton. It was followed of a long series of jazz giants like Benny Goodman, Woody Herman, Lionel Hampton, Count Basie, Quincy Jones, Gil Evans and several more leaders of big band. My pianist list contained favorites like Mose Allison, John Lewis and the Swedes Bengt Hallberg, Gunnar Svensson and Jan Johansson. Charlie Parker, Dizzy Gillespie, Miles Davis, Stan Getz, Gerry Mulligan, Dexter Gordon, Donald Byrd, Chet Baker all made my days. Then free form jazz with Ornette Colman, Don Cherry scared me away, far away!! My way back has been long. My latin period compensated me by bringing rythm and groove back in my listening. Not always jazz, but still with the drive, I so much missed in free jazz. Dizzy's To a Finland Station and Larry Price linked me back through its Latin Jazz style, and now thanks to a stunning Sunday afternoon at the Distillery Jazz festival in Toronto, Canada, Deanna Witkowski Quartet brought me back.

Either I have matured, or Deanna and her band has got all the ingredients I need to appreciate the music.

Her last CD Wide Open Windows is now spinning on my player over and over again.

2005-03-19T22:47:00.000+01:00

Samba in Salvador Bahia Brazil

When these happy fellows played their sambas, it was hardly impossible to sit still, resisting dancing. A better welcome to the 1st ISO Working Group on Social Responsibility is hard to think of.

The Music of Kenya

2004-12-21T20:42:00.000+01:00

The music of Kenya is less familiar than music from Mali, Senegal, Congo or South Africa. Now there is here a great opportunity to listen to Swahili rumba or some Congolese-inspired music.

Classical latin jazz session in Finland 1982

2004-08-18T21:17:00.000+02:00

When I were visiting the Bon Bon Jazz Lounge in Tallinn, the capital of Estonia (see my post from February 24, 2003) the DJ played an interesting track which really attracted me. The kind man prodly showed me the LP-cover and told me that it was a recording with the legendary Dizzy Gillespie. More than a year later I found the story behind: Dizzy were performing in Helsinki and found out that also the Cuban trumpet player Arturo Sandoval were there as well. A Finnish trio and a recording studio were enough to produce an astonishing record: "To a Finland Station". Now available on CD. Check track 4, "Rimsky", and you will understand what got me so excited. This is also illustrating how spontanous my collection of music is growing.

2004-07-19T16:16:00.000+02:00

Internet is offering new communication opportunities. Radio broadcasting by using "streaming" gives a lot of new services. The Swedish Public Service Radio is now launching digital radio including Internet Radio. For me the new World Music channel "SR Sverige" is really welcomed. No talk, only interesting music from all parts of the globe.

2004-07-17T14:52:00.000+02:00

Once again a tremendous evening at Mamsell Trosa with Mr Okey and the Banana Republic. The two alternates on bongo drums and trumpet were doing well and the communication between the band and the audience was stunning. Having build a reputation during 12 annual gigs in Trosa, it was no surprise that every table at the outdoor restaurant was booked this memorable evening. You could listen to all tracks on their first full-length CD Lustjakt and many other favorites.

2004-06-05T18:28:00.000+02:00

My latest musical experience has been a short visit in Prague, Czech Republic. This time I was helped by the young generation of the host country for our international gathering, to find a good record shop, and some Czech jazz records. Spending less than one hour at BONTONland, at Václavské nám. 1, I found three excellent jazz records. 'Twinkle' by Frantisek Kop Quartet was produced late 2000, and presents a mixture of originals by Kop and the pianist Petr Malásek. In two standards, Moonlight in Vermont and Theme for Ernie you can compare with other more well known versions. On his web site you can download some mp3-files illustrating his greatness.

My second discovery was the acoustic bass player Robert Balzar, who realeased a double CD the year 2000: 'Along' with excellent trio jazz.

The third find was also a jazz trio: Emil Viklický Trio. Their latest CD recorded live at Bratislava Jazz Days 2001. All tracks originals by Viklický with one exception (Buhania, Buhania by Ray Brown). The melodies are nearly classicals; you think you have heard them frequently before. Especially 'Wine, Oh Wine' a 13 ½ minutes track is a real hit.

2004-05-29T23:30:00.000+02:00

A very special evening in Vilnius, the capital of Lithuania. On the evening before the Independence Day, 11 March, I visited Džiazo Klubas, without knowing before what programme they had that evening. To my big surprise, I came to be part of a live recording. Julia Jazz Trio recorded its first CD "19 ...live". Now the CD is out. I will buy it next time I visit Vilnius in June!

2004-05-29T22:30:00.000+02:00

Already in May 2002 I discovered the Egyptian artist Mohamed Mounir. Born in Aswan, Nubia, he is now one of the most popular musical artists in the arab world.

2003-03-01T20:49:00.000+01:00

One of the Grammy Nominees, the Cuban Maraca, Orlando Valle, is worth listening to!

2003-02-24T14:57:00.000+01:00

During a new visit eastward to the Estonian capital Tallinn I discovered the US jazz musician Larry Price at a concert in Bon Bon Jazz Lounge. Listen to the title track and others from his CD: "From Now Own ". It is good, but his East European rythm section with Zenja Gimer from Russia on key-board, Toivo Unt from Estonia on double base, and Petter Hasa from Finland on drums, that I heard live, was much better. An older CD is "The test of time".

2003-01-27T15:31:00.000+01:00

After a long break I know how travelled eastward, to Tallinn in the Baltic state Estronia. An Saturday evening at the music pub Kolumbus Krisostomus, Viru street 24, gave a new acquaintance called JÄÄÄÄR. Could you imagine a language allowing four letters "a" with the diacritic consisting of "two dots" in one band name. Now it is in fact two words JÄÄ-ÄÄR, which means "edge of the ice", but still!! Any how, the two band members, Jaan Sööt and Andrus InBoil Rootsmäe on guitar and base guitar, appeared to be skilled, versatile, humorous, and musical. The combination of a strange language, Estonian and rytmic music attracted me a lot. There are three recordings on CD: Jää-äär: Parimad (1996), Tartu - väile puust linn (1998) and JääBoiler niiongi(2001). The later with a larger group. You may have to go to Tallinn to get the records, but if you like there music, it will be worth it: Listen yourselves!!. A real proof of there popularity among the Estonian audiance was the "community singing" trigged by the band. The texts in Estonian of 65 of their songs are published on the web: Lyrics.

2002-10-30T20:24:00.000+01:00

For all lovers of modern Cuban salsa, here is a cheap and representative collection with recordings from 1997 (Sabrosura Viva) to 2001: Salsa Timba . Recordings from 1997 (Sabrosura Viva) to 2001. The Manteca Music Label is genorously sharing details on the music, collected by the British DJ John Armstrong:

Track Listing
1. Manolito Y Su Trabuco - Marcando La Distancia
2. Klimax - Te Confunde Ser Esa Mujer
3. Bamboleo - Ya No Hace Falta
4. Charanga Habanera - Chan Chan
5. Osvaldo Chac?n - Mi Vicio
6. Carlos Manuel - Malo Cantidad (QVF Mix)
7. Azucar Negra - T?ralo Pa’l Agua
8. Paulito F.G. - Son De Un Amigo
9. Aramis Galindo - Ya No Te Necesito
10. Sabrosura Viva - Chico Cl?sica
11. Las Nuevas Estrellas De Areito - Realidad Y Solucion
12. Havana Mambo Orquesta De Baile - Dura Vida
13. Azucar Negra - Tratado De Timba Y Salsa
14. Sixto “El Indio” Llorente - Mi Magdalena

Sleevenotes
For fifty years or more until the beginning of the 70s, traditional Cuban music had remained comparatively static. There was the beautiful son style from the province of Oriente, there were slow, aching boleros (ballads), and there were folkloric styles based on drumming patterns, such as rumba, guaguanc? and col?mbia. Son, in the embodiment of musicians such as Arsenio Rodriguez, had established itself in North America, whose jazz musicians readily took to its sabor (soulfulness) as a basis for the new mambos, whilst Cuban danz?n became cha cha cha and the East Cuban carnival comparsa style became the Conga. In the 60s fresh combinations appeared as latino musicians added in elements of rock and soul: boogaloo, pachanga and eventually, the most significant of all, salsa.

But back in Castro's Cuba, enormous numbers of prodigiously talented and highly trained musicians were pouring forth as a result of Cuba's adaptation of the USSR's idea of training programmes in the arts for young people with aptitude. By 1970, groups such as Chucho Valdes' Irakere and Juan Formell's Los Van Van were experimenting with Cuban music, just as their North American brothers were doing but with strikingly different results. Irakere were drawing strongly on Blue Note jazz and the new ways of playing that were being pioneered by Miles Davis, John Coltrane, Weather Report and such like. Juan Formell became almost obsessed with expressing in new rhythms what he saw happening on the Havana dance floors. And although Los Van Van (still fully active today and still regarded as Cuba's top dance band) have never called themselves a Timba band, it was almost certainly Formell's approach to music that sowed the first seeds of Timba. Year after year he produces a new dance craze, but he's phlegmatic: 'I don't invent these dances,' he says,' I just watch the dancers and when I go home, I try to come up with music that is inspired by the dances I've seen that night.'

'Timba' doesn't have any one specific meaning, any more than 'salsa' does. It's an approach, a lifestyle, a musical genre, a dance genre (but not a specific dance style). The celebrated bassist Felicio Arango calls it the most important thing to have happened to Cuban music for the last fifty years. In technical musical terms, it's usually played in 4/4, either as a 'click' (the song has the same tempo throughout) or slowish at the outset, speeding up towards the end. Many of Timba's arranging pioneers point out that son is usually played in 2/2, so that older musicians have a problem with adapting to the increased speed at first. Rather than conservatively basing the song structures on son as in the past, much of Timba 's best tumbaos (bass riffs) are based on the freer, more 'African' rhythms of guaguanc? and rumba. In the rhythm section, the basslines are 'dryer' and funkier, whilst more experimentation than hitherto is used in mixing various percussion combinations and a mind-boggling number of bloques (set percussion pieces) in any one composition. Moreover, contrary to what is said by Timba's detractors, the all-important clave - the beat that gives Cuban music breath - is just as omnipresent as it has always been if you listen closely. As for the keyboards, there is freer improvisation than is found in the more repetitive montuno piano that is typical of salsa, the pianist being encouraged to come up with new bloques throughout. Another unique feature is the way that everything except voices and percussion will sometimes cut out at the depelotes (climaxes).

But it's the singing that really separates Timba from all other latin dance music: the chorus singers have just as many lyrics as the lead singer - in some cases, even more. This call-and-response style is clearly African originally, but more importantly, it’s influenced by ragga, hip hop and funk – and it’s at that point that Timberos and Salseros really part company. Some years ago I was acting as a de facto tour manager for a young Cuban Timba band playing their first dates outside Cuba. On the day off, I was entrusted with the task of taking the members around the best record shops in town so they could do some buying. Their shopping carts were almost exclusively other Caribbean music - zouk, soca, merengue, compas and reggae, plus a little hip hop and r&b. I tried interesting them in some fresh New York salsa, because at that time tapes of U.S.A. music were hard to come by in Cuba. Their reaction: 'The music's great, but to our ears it sounds old-fashioned: I'd play these records for my mum and dad if they had a party, maybe.'

From its inception nearly thirty years ago, with Juan Formell's songo compositions and later, in 1988, the first recognisable Timba arrangements of José Luis Cortes and his group N.G. La Banda, Timba has been threatening to sweep all before it in the latin music world. A random radio sample taken from Miami, San Francisco, New York, the Caribbean coastal towns of Venezuela and Colombia, and even the hipper French and Spanish wavelengths, clears any doubts.

In Latinsville 2002, Timba is king. And these are the artists who currently share the crown, playing their most sought-after dancehall hits. Oh, yes: remember those traditional salsa dancesteps? FORGET ‘EM – Timba lets you improvise either alone or in pairs (or threes or fours) within a salsa framework: the ultimate Caribbean dance style!

John Armstrong

1. Manolito Y Su Trabuco - Marcando La Distancia

Formerly the arranger for veteran charanga band Maravilla De Florida, Manolito Simonet hit gold with this, the opening cut from his third album. The perfect introduction to Timba for the newcomer, as it has such a strong ‘trad’ salsa flavour. Exceptionally strong vocals from El Indio, ex-Klimax singer Carlos Calunga, and Ricardo Amaray.

2. Klimax - Te Confunde Ser Esa Mujer

…and here are Klimax. Leader Giraldo Piloto was a founder member of Timba pioneers NG La Banda and is generally recognised as the most sophisticated and imaginative of the Timba arrangers. As well as his work with Klimax, he’s written hits for Charanga Habanera, Timba heart-throb Isaac Delgado, and many others. This is from Klimax’s third, most recent album.

3. Bamboleo - Ya No Hace Salta

Before Azucar Negra hit Havana in 2001, Bamboleo were the unchallenged cutting-edge Timba band. This is the title cut from their last album but one, dubbed by NY Times salsa sage Peter Watrous as ‘in the best top five timba albums of all time’. Vocalists Vannia and Yordamis epitomise the smouldering beauty of Habanera Womanhood (or something), and founder Lazaro Valdes’ composition sent Cuban dancefloors into a frenzy throughout 1999.

4. Charanga Habanera – Chan Chan

A streetwise, hip-hop style vocal treatment breathes fresh life into this beautiful Cuban standard, rescued from obscurity a few years back by the mighty Buena Vista Social Club. David Calzado’s band really took Timba into uncharted pan-Caribbean territory. Even more strange, then, that the band grew out of a hotel /restaurant residency, playing standards in a strictly classical charanga style. After their first four albums, disaster struck when the government banned them from live performances for six months after a ‘lewd performance’ by the lead singer during an outdoor concert on the Malec?n (not a full ‘Jim Morrison’, but close…) In the ensuing period Calzado lost the whole band, who subsequently became Charanga Forever. This is from his second album with a brand new young line-up.

5. Osvaldo Chacon Y Su Timba - Mi Vicio

Osvaldo Chac?n, an ex-member of Bamboleo, is probably the only current UK-based artist pursuing a full-blooded Timba repertoire. ‘The dancing style is much more relaxed, lazier,’ he says,’You just listen to the bassline and forget all those spins. But then when the depelote arrives, partners relax and settle into themselves. It’s sensual, not sexual.’ Not sexual? OK, Osvald, if you say so!

6. Carlos Manuel - Malo Cantidad (QVF Mix)

If you saw Carlos Manuel and his band at Ronnie Scott’s in 2001, you’d be forgiven for assuming that he’s an S-Club-7 fan: certainly the amazing stage choreography is Pop Idol Goes To Havana. But Manuel has had a much longer career than his youthful good looks would suggest. Originally a key member of Nueva Trova (socio-politically inspired) group Mayohuac?n, he toured with jazz giants Irakere, using the money he saved from the gigs to buy instruments for his hand-picked group El Clan on returning to Cuba. This tune, very Caribbean in style and content (lots of calypso-style double-entendres in the lyric) was a massive hit in Havana last year. This previously unreleased Groucho Smykle mix has the edge on the album version for me, because it sounds darker and less ‘finished’ than the original. Dontcha love the Shaggy-stylee towards the end?

7. Azucar Negra - Tiralo Pa’l Agua

..and as previewed at (3) above here are THE current Timba dons and donnas. Formed by ex-Bamboleo founders Leonel Limonta and Haila Mompié, this band jammed the airwaves of Cuba’s Radio Ta?no last year with umpteen unreleased demo tapes ( the usual way an unsigned band becomes popular in Cuba). Cuban music guru Juan Carlos Gonzalez says of Limonta’s compositions: ‘He’s not a trained musician but every song he writes has a special magic and becomes a huge hit’. As well as composing all of Azucar’s book, Limonta has written four hits for Charanga Habanera and two for Isaac Delgado.

8. Paulito F.G. - Son De Un Amigo

Paulo Alfonso Fernandez Gallo – Paulito FG to his thousands of adoring female fans (including Naomi Campbell) is that rare commodity - a pop idol as well as a thoughtful and intelligent composer and arranger. He made his name after stints with Adalberto Alvarez and later, NG La Banda. This very traditional flavoured Timba cut is from his current, fifth solo album. With Isaac Delgado, Paulito will surely attain international star status as a Timba ambassador before long.

9. Aramis Galindo - Ya No Necesito

Aramis Galindo’s wonderful, soulful voice will be recognised by fans of the legendary Adalberto Alvarez Band: he was the lead singer on many of their greatest hits. This bear of a man brings a new, more profound dimension to Timba, and highlights the truism that Timba and Son are two sides of the same coin.

10. Sabrosura Viva - Chica Cl?sica

Not a well-known band and certainly not in the First Division of Timba celebrities, Sabrosura Viva nevertheless show a few more experienced Timberos how to rock a dancefloor: another big hit on Havana radio.

11. Las Nuevas Estrellas De Raeito - Realidad Y Solucion

..and speaking of Adalberto Alvarez, here’s a new version of one of his oft-recorded compositions. The band are a kind of Havana Studio All-Stars, the singer Rosendo Diaz, the arranger Manolito (see no1 above). Probably the most salsa-esque track on the compilation.

12. Havana Mambo Orquesta De Baile - Dura Vida

Havana Mambo are a brand-new, untested band, and this cut is taken from their dynamite debut set, which is still awaiting a proper distribution deal. Go find in your local latin completists’ record store.

13. Azucar Negra - Tratado De Timba Y Salsa

I had no hesitation in including two tracks by Azucar Negra, such are their excellence. Here, lead vocals are handled by ex-Bamboleo co-founder Haile Mompié, sounding like La Lupe on meth. The lyrics explore the dynamics (and musical politics!) between Timba and traditional Salsa.

14. Sixto ‘El Indio’ Llorente - Mi Magdalena

Several Timba composers cite Brazilian melody and rhythm as a prime inspiration, so this Timba-Salsa treatment of the 30s Rio samba classic is apt. From an outsanding album that juxtaposes hardcore, folkloric and religious drumming with state-of-the-art Timba arrangements.

EN TALL?! SOME TIMBA JIVE …

As I said, Timba’s a lifestyle, not just a music. Here’s some of the argot and catchphrases that you’ll hear on this album, as well as on the streets:

?En Tall?! - Doing great! Feeling on top of things! The reply when someone asks you how you’re doing.
?Ataca guayac?n! - Go for it!
?Dale Cuero! (or ‘?Rompe Cuero!) - Literally,’hit the skin’:a request for the drummers to go for it.
?Camina! - Walk! (meaning ‘Dance’!).
?Dale Mambo! - Telling the band to ‘give them mambo’:improvise.
?Chevere ! - Cool, phat, etc.
Wanikiki - cash, money, dinero (from guana:birdshit. Honest!).
?Mueve la cintura! - Wind your waist! (as in soca, ragga – and Timba).
?Mamiriki/Papiriki! - As in ‘Baby is cute!’(masc/fem versions).
?Ya Tu Sabes? - Know what I mean?
?Agua! - Lit. Water! (ie, this music’s so hot I need to cool down!)

John Armstrong

A litigation and media lawyer by profession, John Armstrong has had a parallel career for more than fifteen years as a dj, writer and album compiler and, when he's not modelling for bespoke tailor Ozwald Boateng, there's a comic novel in the pipeline about the World Music scene. He lives in deepest Hackney, East London.

2002-10-30T16:36:00.000+01:00

Our salsa interest was fueled by the book by Sun Steward: Salsa - Musical Heartbeat of Latin America, published by Thames & Hudson, 1999. She has covered more in one book, than you will find from reading all disperate articles and overviews available in cyberspace as well as in the real world. It is really a treasure!! Among the Salsa centres she is covering Cuba, USA, Puerto Rico, Santo Domingo, Miami, Colombia and London. In the final chapter she is also presenting the "salseros y salseras" of the 90´s: Marc Anthony, La India, DLG (Dark Latin Grove), but also the Colombian Carlos Vives.

2002-10-25T22:37:00.000+02:00

Live salsa outside Stockholm is rare. Therefore you have to take every opportunity, when it gives. Son Entero is a Swedish-Cuban group from Gothenburg which played one hour in Oxelösund. Calle Real, another group from Stockholm, played in Nyköping one summer evening. Mister Okey also introduced us to Cumbia. It was moving the focus south from the Caribbean area to Colombia. But it was not before we met Sonnya from Bogota, we really get to know more about the dancing and the music. She also introduced us to Vallenato, and to Diomedes Díaz, one of the most popular Vallenato singers from Colombia. In April 2002 we got the chance to visit not only Bogota, but also Cali, which is known as the Salsa center in Colombia. The top experience "par excellence" was when our friends Meyer and Angela took us to a salsoteca the last evening in Cali. We will allways keep it in our memory. An other colombian artist we have come to admire and enjoy is Carlos Vives, Latin Grammy winner 2002.

2002-10-23T21:01:00.000+02:00

My salsa discovery of today is Johnny Polanco Y Su Conjunto Amistad . Their second CD,
Pa'l Bailador, is great. The playlist consists of :
1. Guaguanc? Con Rumba
2. Xiomara
3. Me Voy Pa' Colombia
4. Sal De Mis Sue?os
5. Cocinando Un Son
6. Desconfianza
7. Pasa El Tiempo
8. Tierra De Mi Abuela Y Papa
9. Brazo En Brazo
10. Un Mensaje Para Brenda
11. Baile De Los Ni?os
12. Vine Pa' Echar Candela

2002-10-22T21:35:00.000+02:00

In the year 2000 we had a group from asian, african and south-american countries participating in a training programme here in Sweden. We wanted to expose them to the "latin" touch of Stockholm. What could be more appropriate than to take them to our "Palacio Nacional" called Nalen. One Thursday evening in March the cuban group La Barriada known from the record "Cubamania", were on the stage. Later the same spring we joined a Rueda-class in Dala-Floda at the Dala-Floda Inn. The two instructors, Kristina Ribbing and Victor Theander had succeeded to attract a mixed group of Stockholm "salseros" and "salseras" and local people. Finally we managed to do the Rueda outdoor in the sunny weather the day after Walpurgis night (1 May)

2002-10-22T19:59:00.000+02:00

Back in Sweden we were trigged by every event labelled "Salsa". E.g. a dance evening at the The Stockholm Music Museum with Tango and Salsa on the programme. The live band playing salsa was Hatuey, a Swedish group playing cuban music. Listen to their CD "
El Baile de la Paz". The Swedish Salsa instructor Gunilla Skog introduced beginners to the basic salsa steps, which trigged us to join her salsa classes at the DansCompagniet the spring 1999. Her male instructor, Argelio Ramirez, from Santiago de Cuba, was really communicating the afrocuban dance style. After nearly 14 evenings with Gunilla and Argelio we tested our new "el dedo"-variations at München-Bryggeriet 1 May 1999. In adition to the Swedish group Stockholm Soneros there were classes in "Polska" (Swedish dance) and "Klezmer" to music by the group Den Flygande Bokrullen.

2002-10-21T20:36:00.000+02:00

After the arrival into the Salsa World through Guadelope, the interest soon was transfered to Cuba. My first ordinary salsa CD was Los Van Van: Aqui... El Que Baila Gana (1991). I bought the record mainly in dissapointment over having missed their outdoor concert in Stockholm City 1995 or 1996. On the advice of Gunnar Bengtsson, the bongo player in "Mister Okey and the Banana Republic", my second buy was NG La Banda: La Bruja (1995). Next step was taken when Maria Llerena invited Summer Stockholm 1997 to outdoor salsa introduction at Mosebacke Establishment. Attracted by her enthusiasm we tried her drop-in salsa classes, where we also met her male instructor, Abel. Parallell to our first attempt to learn to dance the Salsa, we also planned a visit to the roots - Cuba.
The two weeks in September 1998, just after the hurricane George, came to be our best travelling experience. Mainly due to our missions to visit the relatives and families of Maria and Abel. But also due to our private salsa instructor Julio Chacón, who we met at our beach hotel in Guanabo: Villa Playa Hermosa. He took us to El Palacio de la Salsa, where we enjoyed the band Tumbao Habana. Two months later Palacio de la Salsa was closed as part of the campaign to fight criminality and prostitution. From Habana we also brought two compilations of Salsa: "Estamos Pegaos" (1997) and "Lo Que Bailamos Los Cubanos" (1997) and the NG La Banda CD: " Veneno" (1997). With these additions to the salsa collection, I had got a representative sample of modern Cuban salsa.

2002-10-19T20:57:00.000+02:00

The next step in my journey was taken a Thursday night in Stockholm, after a 5 km running race "The SpringWater Race" during the Stockholm Water Festival 1995. On my way back after the race, I passed a DJ playing some strange, but exciting music, which I had never heard before. The DJ told me the group he played called themselves "Zouk Machine". It was not an easy task to find someone in an ordinary Swedish record shops who know anything about "zouk". Finally I found it! Their album Clin d'oeuil from 1994 contained the melody I had heard: "Salsa à Ouagadougou". That was the night I discovered "Salsa" as a music style. Not very typical, only by accident, but anyhow, after that discovery I was trapped. Now a Salsa-Holics for life. Not only as listener, but also as a dancing "salsero". Zouk as music style was apparently not what attracted me most. Now I have found out that it is mostly a style popular in French Caribbean. "Zouk Machine" is based on Guadeloupe and consist of three singing girls: Dominique Zorobabel, Christiane Obydol, Jane Fostin, and the band in which Guy Houllier and Yves Honoré have written most of the lyrics and music.

2002-10-19T20:15:00.000+02:00

Some time afterwards, I once was staying overnight in Gothenburg, and came to visit a place called "The Jazz House". The band playing was Mister Okey and the Banana Republic, a Swedish calypso band from Gothenburg. The singer, Misterr Okey, Ola Karlberg, was writing Swedish texts to wellknown calypso melodies, but the band was also playing originals, like "Land of Calypso", "Mary Ann", and "Big Bamboo". To my surprise the band was regularly visiting our little summer town Trosa, playing at the nice Mamsell Trosa.
We have now enjoyed their witty and rytmic carribean sound several summer evenings, and the 2002 gig was a tremendous success.

2002-10-18T21:50:00.000+02:00

The evening with "Sumpens Swingsters" inspired me to such degree, that two years later, my wife and myself left Sweden a wintry February day for Trinidad & Tobago. Port of Spain some weeks before the Carnival was stunning. At Rhyner's Caribbean Music Store, 54 Prince Street, we bought cassettes with Lord Kitchener , The Mighty Sparrow, The Baron and Crazy. We also were guided to one of the calypso tents (Calypso Revue or Kitchener Tent) at Wrightson Rd., the SWWTU Hall. For those interested in calypso music George Maharaj has a rich web site.

The evening at the Kitchener Tent was a great experience. Starting at 9, and no pause before midnight. Singers replacing each other while the big band was playing without break. After 15 minutes break, another hour with Crazy's "De Party Now Starts" as the final song. Most memorable was the "extempo", or improvising songs. The expert explains:
"Extempo has taken a couple of different forms. In the ‘50s, and even in the ‘40s, two singers would trade insults, and that continues in the tents every night, three or four singers exchanging verses. A different type of that occurred with tourists. A segment of calypsonians would sing for tourists. Panther did that in the ‘50s, going out to the boats and at the popular tourist spots. They had a set series of verses they could use. A mark of a good extempo singer was a marker of a good calypsonian. Pretender was the best of his generation. In the last decade there's been a revival of extempo singing, and the modern master is Tipsy. Every year there's a competition. There's an older-style band of six or seven guys. They open an envelope, and inside is a topic, and the contestant has to do four verses. Some fall flat some nights. Gypsy is consistently great."
I do not remember which calypsonian we heard, perhaps Gypsy, but he was great. The audience required new verses, as soon as he seemed to stop singing.

2002-10-18T21:15:00.000+02:00

"Sarah" is an example of Mento music from Jamaica, practitioned by the Jolly Boys . Mento as a music style has its roots in Trinidadian calypso, old Christian hymns, southern blues and jazz. The Jamaican Mento is also described in the University of Vermont web site The Dread Library.

2002-10-18T20:55:00.000+02:00

"Last train to San Fernando" was a calypso song by Randolph Padmore, Silvester Devere, and Mighty Dictator and also recorded by Johnny Duncan and The Blue Grass Boys 1957 Columbia_DB_3959 (UK)

2002-10-18T20:23:00.000+02:00

The start of the Journey took place a Saturday evening in August 1990, at Garvaregården in the small town of Trosa, 75 km south of Stockholm, Sweden. The trad jazz band "Sumpens Swingsters" played for an enthusiastic audience. On their way back from a jazz festival in New Orleans, they passed Port of Spain on Trinidad. A steel pan was added to the more traditional instruments, and calypso songs like "Last train to San Fernando" and "Sarah" introduced on the repertoire. Read more about the present "Swingsters"

2002-10-18T19:41:00.000+02:00

Ahi-Nama is Cuban slang for "This is it...look no further"