It's finally out! Today was the official release of Soneros All Stars new single, the timba version of La Habana Tiene Su Meneo , featuring Lesmer Solenzar (Klímax, NG La Banda) on lead vocals. Yanesito has done something rather unusual with this song, he has recorded two versions of it. I'm not talking about the typical ballad version and a salsa version. He has recorded two dance versions: a hardcore, flaming timba single which has been released today, and a classy sonero version with El Indio, El Sinsonte and Pepitín on lead.

To find out what Yanesito had in mind with this dual-version song, I had a little talk with him in Stockholm. Click here to read the interview where he explains why he recorded the song in two versions as well as gives us some interesting behind-the-scenes gossip from the recording session at ICRT Studios in Havana. As of today you will find the Timba version of La Habana Tienen Su Meneo at iTunes, Spotify and other retailers. Enjoy the official video below.

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Photo courtesy of Cristian MuñozAlexander is amazingly charismatic on stage as witnessed by this audience. Don't miss Havana D'Primera as they return to Europe this March.

The 2010 tour season is underway here in Europe with Alexander Acosta currently on tour and Tumbao Habana's upcoming French concert dates this weekend. Also starting this weekend is Los Van Van's traditional winter tour, which begins with concerts in Helsinki and Copenhagen terminating in Spain in March before they return to the US for a longer tour in June. Also touring in March is Maykel Blanco y Salsa Mayor. We have just updated their tour page with additional dates today. Havana D'Primera will be returning to Europe for the second time and will finally play in my hometown of Stockholm on March 25th. In April Monica Mesa will be doing a promotional tour with her band Maquina Perfecta under the musical direction of Joel Dominguez. Orquesta Revé is also expected to tour in March and April just as they complete the mixing of their new CD "De que estamos hablando", but currently the only date we have for them is March 21 at Cubamemucho in Munich. And finally El Indio and Tirsio Duarte will be in Europe from March through May so keep a lookout for their concerts. Right now all we know about is the festival in Dampierre - Nevoy, France on March 12-13. If you know of any tours we have missed send me an e-mail.

And in the US this spring there are a number of exciting tours planned as the floodgates open. While we wait for the confirmed dates to be released we can at least tell you that Alaín Daniel has announced a US tour at his Facebook site, so all you Mikis get ready.

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I am really enjoying the new video/song La Pelirroja by Klímax. Noel Díaz sings lead vocals and there are moments while Noel is "rapping" where it has almost a Charanga Habanera "the second incarnation" feel to it. Noel is also the composer of the song and I must congratulate him on an excellent job. Interestingly, Piloto wrote a song called Pelirroja for the first incarnation of La Charanga Habanera. It was on the Hey You, Loca!   CD with Leo Vera on lead.

But this is not the same song. It's a completely new song with a masterful, classic Klímax arrangement.  The harmonies Piloto uses are unmistakable. I highly recommend this song to DJs!  Disfruten ahora a La Pelirroja ! (Currently #2 on RADIO TIMBA ). 

Klímax - La Pelirroja

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A few people caught my error in my last post where I said that Orquesta Revé would be at Cubamemucho. In fact the band changed their European tour due to their imminent plans for touring the US in the spring (we will post the US tour dates as soon as they are confirmed). Instead Elito and the Charangón will be in Europe for the regular summer tour season. They are already confirmed for a mega-concert on July 13 at Zenith in Paris. How is this for a blockbuster line-up: Oscar D'Leon, Los Van Van and Orquesta Revé all in one night! That's the kind of concert that is worth taking a mini-vacation for.

Thanks to everyone who wrote to me about the error. If you have information about tour dates that we are missing please send me an e-mail. Or if you register here at timba.com you can make comments directly in the blogs as well as participate in the Timba.com Forum and make comments in the Guestbook.

As for the final line-up for Cubamemucho Munich it is: March 18 - Los Muñequitos de Matanzas, March 19th - Maykel Blanco y Salsa Mayor, March 20 - Havana D'Primera, March 21 - Los Van Van. Stay tuned for more tour updates as the summer tour season bookings get underway as well as more tours of the US are confirmed.



                                                                                            Maykel Blanco y Salsa Mayor
                                                                                        are on their way to a city near you!

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