The newest recordings from members of the Valdés dynasty are doing well this year.  We already reviewed Chucho's Border-Free earlier in the year, and it is currently a Latin GRAMMY nominee (Latin Jazz); Chuchito Valdés also has two recordings currently nominated in the 14th Latin GRAMMY Awards (one in Latin Jazz, one in Folklore in a collaboration with Andean folkloric music legend Eddy Navia.) Here are reviews of Grand Piano Live and  Carnaval En Piano Charango. 

Bill Tilford doesn't doubt for a moment that the following statement will start a few fights, but in his opinion, Timbalive's new Con La Música Cubana NO! is not only Timbalive's best album, but also the best wall to wall Timba dance album (as opposed to Timba plus other things mixed in) to be released by a band based in the United States in many years.  Here's his case, before anyone else makes theirs, please actually listen to the album first...

While we're here, congratulations to Miami's Leslie Cartaya for her Best New Artist nomination in the 14th Latin GRAMMY awards.   We reviewed her eclectic solo debut CD, No Pares, a few months ago. She would be known previously to fans of the Afro-Cuban Funk band Palo!

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We've just launched the Gotham Report, written by Ian Stewart of Timba Bass Corner and NYC Bulletin. The first entry is Ian's review of the CD Release Party Concert of the Pedrito Martínez Group.

And don't forget: Revé Tomorrow in Santa Cruz!

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The prodigal son returns - Lachy Fortuna is back with Revé after several years with Charanga Habanera photo by Tom Ehrlich - courtesy of Manuel Suárez and CultuCuba.

Someobody pinch me - I can't believe Elito Revé y su Charangón is playing 5 minutes from my house for $20 for the whole night! That didn't stop me from driving to SF to see their Saturday show at Cócomo. Click here for Tom Ehrlich's gallery.

Rueda con Ritmo performed at Cócomo and will repeat their choreographed rueda of De qué estamos hablando on Tuesday. The new tresero, pianista and singer were all great, but the highlight of the show for me was the amazing güirero, Maykel Díaz - wow - he plays his watermelon-sized güiro with a relentless groove and sound, and he catches everything. See you there!

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This incarnation of the BVSC has four top timberos: Rolando Luna (Issac, PFG, HdP), Andrés Cuayo (Issac), Kalunga (Klímax, Manolito), and Pedro Pablo (both Charangas, Rebambaramba). Here's Tom's gallery.

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