14th Latin GRAMMY Process Begins
Article by Bill Tilford, All rights reserved

Latin GRAMMY season is upon us again, and there is always a tremendous number of recordings that are submitted for consideration by Latin Recording Academy (LARAS) members each year. Cuba is now actively including recordings by Cuban artists living in the United States and other countries in its Cubadisco Awards (their equivalent to the GRAMMY awards), and it is our hope that the members of the Latin Recording Academy will be equally proactive in listening to the best of Cuba's recorded output, some of which is now being submitted to the Latin GRAMMY process. Since these recordings don't have the same marketing and publicity support as major-label projects made in the United States or Europe, the article that follows may be helpful as a tool for learning more about these excellent but not always well-known recordings. 

Here are some of the best recordings from artists based in Cuba that were released during the current eligibility cycle and are likely to find their way into the consideration process in the United States.  It is likely that this list does not include all of the projects by Cuban artists that will be submitted for consideration in the Latin GRAMMYs, but it probably does represent the best of this year's output. We hope that as many Academy members as possible will try to listen to these recordings, not just because they are from Cuba, but also because they are excellent.  (Of course, those of you who are not Academy members should listen to these as well):   

MODERN DANCE MUSIC FROM ARTISTS IN CUBA (TIMBA, SALSA)

Pasaporte by Alexander Abreu and Havana d'Primera (Colibri)   This won the Cubadisco 2013 award for Popular Dance Music, and it is one of the best Timba/Cuban Salsa albums to appear in years.  You can read our review here. 

Todo está bien by Giraldo Piloto and Klimax (Colibri).   This phenomenal Timba/Cuban Salsa was nominated for a Cubadisco in Popular Dance Music, and it would also have been a worthy winner if it had been chosen.  You can read our review here. 

A toda maquina by Maykel Blanco y su Salsa Mayor.(Planet Records)   Another rocking Timba/Cuban Salsa album, and those of you who are fans of groups like Los Van Van should definitely add Maykel's music to your diet.  You can read our review here. 

Salseando by Leoni Torres (EGREM)   A fine Cuban Salsa album, not yet reviewed.. 

TRADITIONAL POPULAR MUSIC FROM ARTISTS IN CUBA (SON, BOLERO, CANCIÓN ETC.)

Vamos pa' la' fiesta by Septeto Santiaguero (Picap).  This won the Cubadisco 2013 award for Traditional Popular Music and features a number of prominent singers from the United States and other countries as guest artists.   You can read our review here. 

La canción cubana by Miriam Ramos (Colibri)  This trilogy won the Grand Prize at Cubadisco 2013.  Not yet formally reviewed here, but Miriam has worked with Cuba's finest over the years, and Barbarito Torres, Ernán López-Nussa and Rolando Luna play important roles in the project. 

LATIN JAZZ AND INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC FROM ARTISTS IN CUBA 

Border-Free by Chucho Valdés and the Afro-Cuban Messengers (Jazz Village) 
This is hot off the presses from July, and it is a wild ride.  You can read our review here.  

Claroscuro by Alejandro Falcon (Colibri)  Not yet formally reviewed here, but we understand that this is finding its way into the US market now, and it was one of the nominees in Jazz Cubano at Cubadisco 2013, and those folks take the music seriously. 

OTHER RECORDINGS WORTH MENTIONING (USA)

The big names and the major labels can take care of themselves, so this is going to focus on some independent releases that deserve special recognition: 

PMO by Pacific Mambo Orchestra (Independent Release)  This Bay Area big band plays hard-hitting, old school Mambo in a way that is mostly old school but with some modern elements of electric guitar and drum kit added to the mix.  You can read our review here. 

San Francisco by Brian Andres & The Afro-Cuban Jazz Cartel (Independent Release)   A funky and daring collaboration between some of the most talented players, composers and arrangers residing in the San Francisco Bay Area.  Click here for more info . (Editor's Pick)

Vuelven Los Amaya! by Los Amaya (Universal Music Spain)  A comeback album from the original kings of Rumba Flamenca. Features a veritable who's who of famous artists from Spain.  Click here for more info. (Editor's Pick)

Eggun by Omar Sosa (Ota Records).   This recording is an Afro-Cuban Jazz tribute to Miles Davis' Kind of Blue, but it is not a cover, but rather something unique.  Omar is Cuban but now lives in Spain. You can read our review here. 

Innovation by The Music Connection  (Music Roots Records)  This is an Afro-Cuban Jazz recording by a NY trio composed of Rafael Monteagudo, Carlos del Pino and Chiemi Nakai. You can read our review here. 

This Is The Life by Grupo Cha Cha  (Independent Release)  This writer wouldn't be a true Chicagoan if he didn't mention a hometown project with merit.   This is part Latin Jazz, part dance music, so I'm not quite sure how to label it, but it deserves a listen, and it has been getting air time in a few cities now. You can read our review here. 

Grand Piano Live by Chuchito Valdés (Music Roots Records)   Chuchito is the son of Chucho, a formidable pianist in his own right, and he gets around a lot.  Not yet reviewed here. 

No Pares by Leslie Cartaya (Independent release)  This is a debut of sorts for Cuban-American singer Leslie Cartaya, who is also the singer for Palo! in Miami.  There are several different genres in the recording, and you can read our review here. 

Mi Bajo Danzón by Yunior Terry & Son de Altura (Independent release)  A high quality mix of son and other Cuban dance styles from the youngest son of the legendary Don Pancho Terry.  You can read our review here.