With or without the autotune, I can't get these coros out of my head. Hat tip to Antonio in Oz for the heads up. And lots of Emilio Frías coming shortly - stay tuned.

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Emilio Frias "El Niño" y La Verdad have just uploaded their new video "Con Eleguá y con Orula". Emilio did a live Facebook chat beforehand from Panama where they are currently doing promotion. You can check it out at the band's official Facebook site - this is the one they want people to follow to get all the latest news, so be sure to click "Follow". El NIño y La Verdad will be touring Europe from February 15th through March 5th promoting their 2nd CD - "Más Duro". Next week we'll post all the concert dates. For now, enjoy the latest video.

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With Mezcla's 30th Anniversary this year, a few things are happening:  Last week, Radio Metropolitana had a special segment devoted to Mezcla during the week, and on February 15, a new release, Pure Mezcla, will be unveiled as a digital download on Latinpulsemusic.com. There will be some special concert events featuring Mezcla in the weeks to come in Cuba.
A very popular video with unmastered audio of a song from their live concert at Yoshi's Oakland in 2013, Mambo Influenciado, has been on Mezcla's YouTube channel for months; a mastered audio version has now been published on YouTube as a leadup to the new album release:  

This is a great time to be in Chicago if you love Cuban Jazz and Funk.  Orlando Sanchez Soto (Cubajazz)  and Danae Blanco are thriving on a riff at Sabor a Café - you can read more and see a photo gallery here.  
Then, on February 6-7, Eliel Lazo is coming to the same establishment for a concert and workshop (we covered Eliel Lazo & The Cuban Funk Machine a few posts back.)  Finally, the Pedrito Martínez Group comes to Chicago at the City Winery on February 15.  This has become the PMG's regular annual outpost in Chicago, and we believe this will be the first time there with their new lineup. 

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continue reading Sin Clave No Hay Na

Timba 2017 is starting with a bang with "Bomba y Cuchara" – the new single by La Liga Habanera, one of Stockholm's favorite timba bands. The band held a concert at Fasching in Stockholm last Saturday and today their new single – "Bomba y Cuchara" featuring Lesmer Solenzar on lead vocals – dropped at CDBaby.com. "Bomba y Cuchara" will soon be at other digital retailers such as iTunes and Amazon as well.

It is a hard-hitting timba arrangement that kicks off with a great piano tumbao and includes clever use of light reggaeton drums from about 1:20 to 1:37 for fans of a more urban style. It works very well. A torrid dance track to usher in the new year. Click here to listen to a preview.

Credits: Drums and timbales Max Alton. Composed and arranged by Max Alton. Lyrics by Lesmer Solenzar and Max Alton. Lead vocals Lesmer Solenzar. Background vocals Pablo Cepeda, Max Alton, Cecilia Ferrer. Trumpets Petter Linde. Trombones Peter Fredriksson. Piano and arrangements Oldrich Gonzales. Bass Alfonso Nuñes. Congas Pablo Cepeda. Recorded in Farmer street Studio Sweden Stockholm. Mix by Måns Ek.

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