Here's a fascinating live bootleg from Havana during the rage late-90s timba explosion. 

Paulito and Manolín had a feigned trash-talking rivalry that served to increase the popularity of each. They would frequently show up at each others shows to duel verbally on stage. For example, Paulito had a coro "ni médico, ni cantante".

Michel Maza also appears briefly and there's a trumpet solo from Carmelo Andrés, now best known as "El Abuelo" in Charanga Habanera's trumpet section.

This tape is also interesting in that it has three Paulito songs that were never released on any official album.

I've tried to get everything in the right order, but bear in mind that this came from an unlabeled cassette. "Cuál es tu trampa" seems to be from a different show and the two Manolín controversias may also be from different nights. Please add your insights to the comments section (en inglés o español, no importa)

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Omar Sosa and Cuarteto Afrocubano are at the Jazz Showcase in Chicago every night until Sunday, April 25.  Unlike the album, which includes guest musicians that add some elements of Flamenco and other influences, this is the core quartet and is more down-to-the-bone Cuban in its execution.  BIll Tilford was there for the first set opening night - you can read more and see photos here. 

In 2012, Santa Habana by Melvis Santa was nominated for a Cubadisco award in the Fusion category.   Melvis has her own projects now but has also been a member of Interactivo (which appears here) and Sexto Sentido.   You can read a review of this recording in English here y en español aquí.

Best of all for Chicagoans, she will be in town May 9 to perform. See Report From Chicago  from April 19 for details. 

In the next month or two, you will be reading and hearing a lot about Ruy López-Nussa, who in no particular order is Ernán López-Nussa's brother, a phenomenal drummer, and the leader of the group La Academia, a group that has some killer recordings that are about to find their way to public notice.   If you were a fan of Grupo Afrocuba, watch this like a hawk.  This is not a reencarnation, but it is every bit as good, in some ways even better.   While we wait, here's a review of a Fusion project (Cuban music and Reggae) that they did with Everton Paul, Remembrance.  You can read it in English here o en español aquí. 

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International Timba Month has hit Venezuela in the form of Maykel Blanco y Su Salsa Mayor. They will perform their Venezuelan debut concert this Saturday in Barquisimeto. Fans are thrilled to finally get an opportunity to see Los Mayores en vivo. Maykel has been working hard over the past few years to really put together not only a great musical repertiore, but also a well-rehearsed, fun performance that makes Salsa Mayor arguably the best timba show in Havana today.

Los Mayores will be in Venezuela for five concerts. Click here to see the list of concert dates. If you are not fortunate enough to be in Venezuela, you can console yourself with the brilliant new DVD/CD "Cerrando Filas" available at iTunes and other digital retailers. Here is a personal message for the Venezuelan fans from the Maykel Blanco y su Salsa Mayor official Facebook page.

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A new Beyond Salsa mini-documentary and two musical treasures. The documentary is on Beyond Salsa Bass, Vol. 2: Arsenio, Cachao and The Golden Age of the 50s, but especially about Arsenio Rodríguez, the mid-century musical visionary whom I call "the first timbero". 

The second link is for a brand new demo from the most exciting lineup El Pikete has put together, featuring the great Reinier Guerra on drums and many other top Miami players.

Click here for El Pikete: Mi detalle.

Finally, we have two never-released-on-CD Arsenio tracks from his absolute prime.

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