Juan Guillermo "JG" is on a roll. In addition to being everywhere on the radio and in video in successful collaborations such as "Hello Baby" by Cándido Fabré with Larizta Bacallao and "Subasta de amor" with Osvaldo Montero, his second album was nominated in Cubadisco 2015 for Best Popular Dance Album by a New Group.

With "Que no me controlen" JG has established his own sound. It is youthful, positive, fun and above all very danceable. Guest artists include Kelvis Ochoa, La Charanga Habanera and Los Extraterrestres. It has a wide appeal with a mix of timba, timba romantica, tropical fusion and timbaton.  I highly recommend it for dancers and DJs. Put this on at parties and watch the dance floor fill up! Click here to read the review .

Dale clic aquí para leer la reseña en español.

JG said the band will begin recording their third CD titled "Sí, soy yo" in December. For now I leave you with the 2014 Lucas Award-winning video "Que no que no".

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Ángel Batule music producer & DJ

If you've been listening to contemporary Cuban dance music at all over the past few years you have heard one name shouted out by a wide variety artists - "¡Batule!" Ángel Batule - also known as  "Batule DJ" - is a member of the hugely popular Cuban group Los 4 and also one of the most sought-after music producers, arrangers, composers of the new generation of Cuban musicians.

When the reggaeton craze first swept Cuba, it seemed that the younger musicians were leaving Cuban musical traditions behind. But recent years have seen a move back towards cubanía - a return to the Cuban talent for taking something foreign and making something Cuban out of it. Batule's music is a prime example of this. Having a father who was a sound engineer and a mentor named Tirso Duarte , Batule learned about the complexities of Cuban dance music and combined these with the beats that make the younger generation move - becoming a key figure in the timbaton movement. Although the songs rely heavily on electronic reggaeton beats, they also may incorporate rumba, salsa and even gears such as bomba.

To satisfy my own curiosity, I got in touch with Batule who is just finishing up a tour of Peru with Los 4. He agreed to do a little interview so we at timba.com could get to know the man behind the shout-out "¡Batule DJ!" Click here to read the interview in English .

Dale clic aquí para leer la entrevista en español.

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Oderquis Revé is celebrating his 66th birthday by giving us all a gift. A new single recorded for the 500th anniversary of Santiago de Cuba is available for free download at El Ratón Rabioso's ReverbNation page . I did it first thing this morning and it was a great vitamin kick to start the day!

Oderquis Revé está celebrando su 66o cumpleaños, dándonos todo un regalo. Un nuevo single grabado para el 500 aniversario de Santiago de Cuba se encuentra disponible para descarga gratuita en la página de El Ratón Rabioso ReverbNation. Descargué el tema hoy por la mañana y fue una gran injección de vitamina para empezar el día!

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For the 9th consecutive year Dutch entrepreneur Henri van Woerkom (HENNES) has organized his free Cuban party on the river Waal in Nijmegen. It is a beautiful and intimate festival with participants traveling from far and wide to take enjoy the music. What could be bettr than a week-long Cuban party featuring DJs and live bands? The 2015 edition started Saturday and ends on Friday the 24th with a concert by Nils Fischer's Timbazo, who recently released their second CD - "Rumberos a montón" - to much acclaim.

One of the things that makes Hennes Latin Stage so unique is the fact that the headline band plays three consecutive nights. This year that band is El Niño y la Verdad, who are on their second European Tour and a must-see band for all Cuban music fans.

Rumours are already spreading that Hennes has big plans to celebrate the 10th Edition next year. Moreover, their 10th Anniversary coincides with the 100th Anniversary of 'the international 4 day marches Nijmegen', so expect a double celebration. If you're like me and can't make it this year, mark your calendars for the 3rd week in July 2016: 10 years Hennes Latin Stage anniversary! A great line-up is guaranteed!
Hennes gladly welcomes foreign guests in person !
As always… FREE entrance !

Here is the full 2015 schedule:
Saterday 18 july 2015:
06.00 PM: Dj Joost
08.00 PM: Orquesta Salsabor

Sunday 19 july 2015:
06.00 PM: Dj Lady Kizz & Dj Sigi
08.00 PM: Tomi y su Timbalight

Monday 20 july 2015:
06.00 PM: Dj Eric B
08.00 PM: Barbara y VaiVen Cubano

Tuesday 21 july 2015:
06.00 PM: Dj Leslie
07.00 PM: Barbara y VaiVen Cubano
10.00 PM: Emilio Frias El Niño y La Verdad

Wednesday 22 july 2015:
06.00 PM: Dj Leslie
07.00 PM: Pedro & his cuban experience
10.00 PM: Emilio Frias El Niño y La Verdad

Thursday 23 july 2015:
06.00 PM: Dj Joost & Lady Kizz
07.00 PM: Pedro & his cuban experience
10.00 PM: Emilio Frias El Niño y La Verdad

Friday 24 july 2015
06.00 PM: Dj Joost
08.00 PM: Timbazo

"Hennes celebrates his annual party and everyone is invited."

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