Cubanismo

THE BEAT Fall 2007/V. 26 No. 3

ALL OVER THE MAP
Face The Music

BY STEVE HEILIG

Cubanismo, Greetings from Havana (AIM):
Here's the more Cuban-rooted side of things, with this group's latest, a lush, moving, more jazz-inflected offering as a "postcard" from a band which cannot tour the U.S. for the usual idiotic reasons. Nine different Cuban musical styles-- son, bolero, etc. --all performed with gusto and class under the leadership of trumpeter Jesus Alemany. Many fans will welcome this, even if sent C.O.D.
(see Skatalites press for review in same column)
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ALL MUSIC GUIDE

Greetings From Havana REVIEW

By Jeff Tamarkin

For over a decade, ¡Cubanismo! has steadily extended their reputation as one of
the most popular bands playing traditional Afro-Cuban music (think of them as a modern, younger Buena Vista Social Club). The group's audience in the United
States (where they first performed) grew to be a sizable one, aided by frequent
touring during their early years, but due to the political pigheadedness that
has kept the cultural exchange between Cuba and the U.S. to a minimum, the band was barred from returning to the U.S. for much of the post-9/11 period.

Fortunately, the Australian AIM label had the foresight to send ¡Cubanismo! backinto the studio for the first time in six years and to make sure that the
resultant album has sufficient U.S. distribution. So the title, Greetings from
Havana, is to be taken literally. Its creators, unable to plug their work via
direct interaction with their American audience, are forced to continue their
work from a distance. And it would be a shame if the album did not reach its
intended audience or hook new fans, because it's quite likely ¡Cubanismo!'s best
work to date.

Tighter than ever musically, the band's fiery fusion has taken on
a more jazz-oriented freedom than in the past without sacrificing any of the
island authenticity that bandleader/trumpeter Jesus Alemany has insisted upon
since the start. Horn and piano solos are crisp and exhilarating, the layers of
percussion never quit propelling the sunny melodies forward into dance
territory, and both the lead and harmony vocals are always exciting and
exquisite.

Gliding easily between mambo, rumba, son, bolero, and other substrata of Cuban music, and running through a range of lyrical topics, from standard romance to matters more spiritual, ¡Cubanismo! is one of the great
standard-bearers of their country's music. Now, if only they would be allowed to
show their northern neighbors why.
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SLIP CUE E-ZINE

World Music Record Reviews: Cubanismo

Cubanismo "Greetings From Havana" (AIM, 2007)
Swinging, driving, unremitting Cuban son, featuring a punchy horn section led by Jesus Alemany on trumpet, backed by a tight brass quartet and rock-solid rhythm section... Cubanismo haven't recorded for several years, and they've clearly marshaled all their power for this latest effort -- great traditionally-oriented dance music with an electrifying feel, though not too blaring or jazz-oriented. If you like old-school salsa, this album will get you up and dancing before you know what hit you. Nice to hear these guys back in action!
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TASTES LIKE CHICKEN 6/2007

REVIEWS: What VINNIE BAGGADONUTS was all about in May!

CUBANISMO - GREETINGS FROM HAVANA (Aim International)

If this is what a party in Havana sounds like, let's lift that stupid embargo and make nice, 'cause it's been a long time since a record's made me feel so happy.

RATING: FOUR STARS
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WORLD MUSIC CENTRAL 6/7/2007

Jamming with Cubanismo

by: ARomero

CD Reviews

¡Cubanismo!

Greetings from Havana (AIM Records AIM 1019 CD, 2007)

The Bush administration's tightening of the Cuban embargo has prevented all Cuba-based artists from touring the United States. Sadly, the number of Cuban music CDs has also decreased dramatically.

Thankfully, most other countries do not believe in shutting the Cuban arts out. From Australia comes the latest ¡Cubanismo! CD. The legendary Cuban band achieved popularity in the United States with its domestic releases and several tours. Now, thanks to Australian label AIM, ¡Cubanismo!'s music is available again in the United States.

Greetings from Havana was recorded in the Cuban capital and Australian producer Peter Noble allowed band leader Jesús Alemañy a lot of artistic freedom. ¡Cubanismo! once more shows that it is a rhythmic powerhouse, with one of the finest brass sections in Cuba.

The pieces range from old time guaracha son, rumba and mambo to fiery Afro-Cuban jazz and the fabulous brass fest on "Descarga caliente" (descarga means jam session).
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SOUNDS ROOTS 6/7/2007

Cuban, Ska, & Blues... Down Under (CD Reviews)

When you think of blues, Cuban dance music, and reggae, and classic Jamaican ska, you naturally think of a setting involving kangaroos, right?

No? Well then you may not have in your hands the latest releases from AIM International. It's an odd trio with little musical overlap but lots of soul. These releases aren't even showing up on the AIM website yet (though the official US release date was in May), so here's a first glance.

First, Cubanismo -- a project that began after the band played Australia's East Coast Blues & Roots Music Festival, the nation's largest outdoor festival. The result is the 11-song album Greetings from Havana. The release of the album gives US audiences a taste of what they've been missing out on, since the US government has not allowed Cubanismo to play in the US for the last four years.

Also caught up in US politics is blues diva Marva Wright. It's not hard to guess the pervading topic of her new album, called After the Levees Broke. Katrina and its aftermath make for great blues fodder, particularly considering that Wright and her band members lost everything in the storm. The songs include "The Levee Is Breaking Down," "Katrina Blues," and the gospel-tinged "Change Is Gonna Come," which takes on a poignant new meaning in a post-Katrina context.

Rounding out the trio is the new Skatalites CD, On the Right Track. It's only the second album of originals from the band, which is better know for their ska covers of songs ranging from the Beatles to James Bond. The sound is vintage Skatalites, though some of the song names reflect the album's origins: "Outback Ska," "Uluru Rock," and "Outback Dub."

Says keyboard player Ken Stewart: "Some say all island peoples have a similar vibe about them. Oz is a big island but similar vibe, and although there's plenty of modern stuff, you get a feel of the ancient with the Aboriginal culture and seeing species of animals that exist nowhere else on earth."

Kudos to AIM for these projects. I can't wait to hear what they come up with next.
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Jamaica Observer 05/27/2007

Jazz First

By Michael 'Jazzofonik' Edwards

The Riffin' Rundown

For the week beginning May 28; Newstalk 93FM, 8:35 pm.
Riffin' celebrates jazz and Jamaica, with guests from the upcoming Ocho Rios Jazz fest.

MON: Ballad Power. Houston Person, a guest at the Ocho Rios Jazz festival, wraps his big tenor sound around some classic ballads.

TUES: If ever there was a comeback kid, its Frank Morgan, whose career was interrupted for three decades, but he managed the complete comeback. Morgan, who is also a guest on the Ocho Rios jazz festival, plays beautiful alto, in a bittersweet way.

WED: The art of vocals by a straight ahead jazz singer, Karrin Allyson from Kansas City. Miss Allyson retrofits instrumental songs and solos with original lyrics.

THUR: Cubanismo, is back with pure Latin Fire. Greetings From Havana features their signature style of burning brass and hot rhythms.

FRID: Riffin' with The Skatalites, who toured Australia recently and recorded a new album, On The Right Track.

http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/lifestyle/html/20070526t16000
0-0500_123519_obs_the__peach__that_fell_into_our_laps_.asp
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