It's really frustrating to be a timba fan in California ...

Here's the latest:

1) No Charanga Habanera - May 7 in LA (Sportsmen's Lodge) and May 8 in SF (Cócomo) are both cancelled.

2) Manolito y su Trabuco - who have their visas in hand will play BOTH of those gigs. If you have tickets, you can either use them to see Trabuco or get a refund at the point of purchase.

3) Yoshi's has cancelled Manolito for May 5 and May 6

On a more positive note I strongly agree with Michelle on those Revé tracks - the rhythm section sounds measurably hotter than Fresquecito, which was easily one of the best albums of the 2000s.

Also, the Ned Sublette Lecture at MoAD in SF is still on for Thursday night, April 29.

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Wow! I just got my first listen to the title track from the new CD "De que estamos hablando". Now you all know that I'm a big Revé fan, and I am always confident that they will release quality songs. I knew the CD would be good, but this is blowing me away! So far I've only heard part of Chichi and the full tracks of the remake of "La boda en bicicleta", "Agua pa' Yemayá" and "De que estamos hablando", but I tell you my fellow charangoneros, this is hard core timba as only changüí can be.

I still haven't figured out what it is that gives changüí that extra kick, but I tell you this is absolutely impossible to resist. I was going to say that you'd have to be dead not to dance to these songs, but to be honest I'm pretty sure this will even get los muertos on their feet. I'm not exaggerating! This CD cannot get into my CD player soon enough!



Elito Revé photo Cristian Muñoz

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We have updated Orlando "Maraca" Valle's tour section. As usual Maraca's schedule is rapidly filling up so if you want to book you should get in touch with Celine soon. Fans, take a look at the schedule and find a concert near you.

The band has some exciting additions this year. While young soneros seem to be an endangered species, Maraca has added both Alexei Sánchez "El Nene", and Lester Ciarreta to the group. You know Alexei "El Nene" from Azúcar Negra and Elito Revé, where he both composed and sang several of the hits on the "Se sigue comentando" CD. When El Nene left Azúcar Negra it was actually Lester Ciarretta who filled his place, moving over from Salsa Mayor. Well now both these young sonero/timberos are together in one band under the leadership of one of the most sucessful young bandleaders in Cuba today. French DJ Jack El Calvo informs us that Maraca even has other new musicians including a new trumpet player, from Klímax. Stay tuned for video of the new Maraca line-up!

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Yoshi's Oakland - Friday, June 18    ***  June 19-20 Sierra Nevada World Music Festival

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