Music organization PLAYING FOR CHANGE brings us this Cuban classic... "Guantanamera". PFC started the song with Carlos Varela in Havana and it features over 75 Cuban musicians around the world, from Havana and Santiago to Miami, Barcelona and Tokyo. They recorded and produced this track with Jackson Browne, who explains that “traveling with Playing For Change across Cuba was one of the most rewarding and inspiring musical experiences of my life.”

Aymee Nuviola (vocals)  --  Equis Alfonso (vocals) -- Eva Griñán (vocals) --  Carlos Varela (vocals/guitar) -- Diana Fuentes (vocals) --  Grupo Síntesis (vocals) --  Luis Bofill (vocals/guiro) -- Reinaldo Elosegui (vocals) --  Candi Sosa (vocals/maracas) --  Manuel Galbán (guitar) --  Gabino Jardines (guitar) --  Alexander “Pupi” Carriera (conga) --  Miami Cuban Horns (Braily Ramos: trombone, Carlos Puig, trumpet, Felipe Lamoglia: saxophone) -- Camerata Romeu (strings conducted by Zenaida Romeu Diogenes) -- Manfarrol Medrano (marímbula) --  Gastón Joya (upright bass) --  Ernán López-Nussa (piano) -- Joel Peña (tres) --  La Conga de San Agustín (La Pasión) --  Luis Conte (bongos) --  Luis Valle (trumpet) --   Michelle Fragoso (piano) -- Papa Orbe Ortiz (bass) --  Sergio Cardona Veranes (guitar) --  Rigoberto López (bass)

Playing for Change is a multimedia music project, created by the American producer and sound engineer Mark Johnson with his Timeless Media Group, that seeks to inspire, connect, and bring peace to the world through music. Playing For Change also created a separate non-profit organization called the Playing For Change Foundation, which builds music schools for children around the world.

"Guantanamera" is a track from the album “PFC3 Songs Around The World”, which features 185 musicians from 31 countries, including performances from Keith Richards, Sara Bareilles, Taj Mahal, Toots Hibbert from Toots & The Maytals, Los Lobos, Preservation Hall Jazz Band, Keb’ Mo’, and Andres Calamaro, in addition to a song produced by Jackson Browne. Here is the cover and link...

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Tomorrow, September 18th, Buena Fe will perform at Miami-Dade County Auditorium with guest Frank Delgado. This year's show is a tribute to contemporary Cuban cinema including audiovisual segments. I can't make the Miami show, but I was in Havana and caught two of the rehearsals where they were preparing for the Miami show.

The first day, Israel missed the first hour of rehearsal because he was giving interviews. The second day they really focused on coordinating the audiovisual part of the show. Someone brought a smart TV that is supposed to work with gestures and voice control. No one could ever get that working, but they did get the video sections of the performance set up, however, you will get no spoilers from me! Below is a little montage of moments from the rehearsals on September 9 and 11, 2014.

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A photo of my copy of "Llegó la Verdad" on the seat by my departure gate

I totally lucked out! I took a very brief trip to Cuba where I was never able to hook up with Emilio Frias "El Niño" and Pachy Jr. for the interview I have been wanting to about La Verdad. But as luck would have it, while going through security at José Martí airport, I looked up and saw that just two people ahead of me in  line was Emilio. They were on their way to Cancún for the Mayan congress. We hugged, he introduced me to his mom and he gave me the very first copy of the new CD "Llegó La Verdad". Hot off the presses! I knew the news would be out by the time I reached Stockholm (a 16 hour trip) but at least I know I was the very first person to get a copy. As I expected, it is a brilliant album worth the wait. A full review will be coming soon, but let me just say that the songs you have already heard as demos have been re-recorded/re-mixed and sound better than ever. There are 3 songs I haven't heard at all previously. Also worth noting, the new version of "La Mata" no longer features El Micha like the demo did, and "Seguir viviendo" is a Manolito Simonet arrangement with an intro that really brings to mind a "Loco por tus besos" vibe.

Below is a track & genre listing, which you might find interesting. All arrangements are by Wifredo Naranjo "Pachy Jr." and Dayron Ortega except as listed below. The hard copy is on sale in Havana at the EGREM stores. I don't know yet what the iTunes and other digital outlets release date will be.

1. La verdad (son)
2. Ese soy yo (son)
3. Dime cuanto (son)
4. Mi música (son)
5. Seguir viviendo (son - arr. & piano Manolito Simonet)
6. Loco pero te amo (son)
7. La mata (mozambique)
8. Verdad amarga (bolero - arr. Emilio Vega)
9. Piénsalo (timba feat. El Yonky)
10. Yo sí camino La Habana (son)

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ENGLISH:   Mezcla performed at the World Music Festival in Millennium Park in Chicago on Friday, September 12 - you can see a photo gallery here.   Their tour of the United States continues for the next few weeks, and their new album, Pure Mezcla, is scheduled for release in November. 
You can hear segments of an extended interview (in Spanish) with Pablo Menéndez on the radio show Domingos Felices during the next few Sundays along with some music from the group. 
On Saturday, September 20, Chuchito Valdés returns to Chicago, and the percussionist for this session, Joaquin Pozo "El Pulpo", will give a percussion clinic on Sunday, September 21.  For full details, see the Report From Chicago Events & Reviews page. 

ESPAÑOL:  Mezcla actuó en el Festival de Música Mundial en el Parque del Milenio en Chicago el viernes 12 de Septiembre - se puede ver una galería de fotos aquí. Su gira por los Estados Unidos continúa durante las próximas semanas, y su nuevo álbum, Pure Mezcla, tiene previsto su lanzamiento en noviembre. 
Se puede escuchar segmentos de una entrevista extendida (en español) con Pablo Menéndez en el programa de radio Domingos Felices durante los próximos domingos junto con un poco de la música del grupo. 
El sábado,  20 de septiembre, Chuchito Valdés vuelve a Chicago de septiembre, y el percusionista para esta sesión, Joaquín Pozo "El Pulpo", dará una clínica de percusión el domingo, 21 de septiembre. Para más detalles, véase el informe en la página  Report From Chicago Events & Reviews.

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