More good new for fans. Adalberto Álvarez is going into the studio on March 15th to begin recording his new CD. I don't know what it will be called, but a CD by Adalberto Álvarez y Su Son is guaranteed to be a must-buy. Adalberto is also working on plans for a US tour. Things aren't confirmed yet, but the current plan is to tour the US before they begin their summer tour of Europe. Stay tuned and we will keep you updated.

Adalberto Álvarez
photo courtsey of David Doogue

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"Labor of Love" is a term that I'm somewhat familiar with, but this amazing book had been a labor of love in progress well before my first trip to Cuba in 1999. Afro-Cuban Percussion Workbook is written by my first timba guru, Curtis Lanoue, about one of the greatest and least-publicized percussion masters of Cuba, José Eladio. It covers all the main folkloric and popular rhythms thoroughly and systematically. Here's the link.

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Contrabando celebrate the release of "Abriendo Caminos" with champagne

I have finally overcome my technical difficulties and can share with you all the experience of attending the Contrabando release concert for "Abriendo Caminos". It was really a very elaborate event with several different segments culminating in the concert itself. The band was not stingy. They played every song from the new album, with the exception of the bachata version of "Siempre tú". You can already listen to the song "Mentiras" in our Timba.com Radio. I have also included a little live video in the report as well as a post-concert video of the goings-on in the dressing room after the concert. Click here to check it out and get to know the band a little better. Non-Spanish speakers will be happy that I have gone hi-tech and started adding subtitles to the interviews. If you haven't already seen the interview with bandleader "El Paísa" I recommend you take a few minutes to watch it. You will get an idea of what Contraabndo is about. And check out the entire Contrabando section as well.

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If you know the story behind this, please tell us in the Comments section. Si sabes la historia de este video, explícanosla en la sección de comentarios, ok?

Thanks to "Mr. Elana" for the link.

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