UPDATE (a quick note from Issac Delgado): "Conocí a Alain Pérez cuando estudiaba guitarra en la Escuela Nacional de Arte en la Habana, Cuba, con sus prodigiosas manos con uñas largas para ejecutar... Me siento parte responsable y complice en su transición de la guitarra al bajo, el ha sido un aglutinador e inspiración para los músicos a su alrededor, su condición de arreglista, compositor y su talento lo han llevado a una condición natural de ser respetado y admirado como un “musico total”. He seguido y compartido su carrera como bajista, para mi es el más “ritmático” de los que he conocido. El bajo como instrumento en la música afro-cubana ha sido siempre “la columna vertebral” de una agrupación. Alain es capaz de sostener esa responsabilidad, sin embargo su capacidad rítmica le permite hacer figuraciones sincopadas en los lugares mas insólitos e inesperados de una obra musical, sin perder el sabor, la cadencia y sentido de la misma que imprime el bajo a nuestra música. Su paso por el flamenco ha madurado su forma y estilo musical, para mi modesta opinión: actualmente es “El Bajista Timbero” de Cuba, como referencia internacional." -- Issac Delgado

Finally ! The first book of the Beyond Salsa Bass series has been released. Volume 6 of Beyond Salsa Bass begins our 4-volume study of the style of Alain Pérez, one of the most talented bassists, composers and arrangers of modern Cuban music. The bass series follows the piano series exactly, covering the same songs, now from the perspective of the bassist.  hardcopy 

Both the notes and the percussive sounds that he uses to create his funky style. Each musical example is provided in 16th note notation, 8th note notion and bass tablature. There are corresponding audio and video products for each volume.

Click here for the full story and details....   

Havana Live Music Listings are up - Click here to see the live music schedule for Havana.

Sierra Maestra upcoming US shows - This classic son band has shows coming up in ...... click here for the full story and details

Eddie Palmieri 75th Birthday celebration show is taking place at ....  click here for the full story and details

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** Breaking News Update - Singer José Antonio Rodríguez González (Pepitin)
leaves Manolito y su Trabuco **

A new homaje to the classic salsa sounds of the 1970's has been released by Miami-based pianist, Grammy winner and band director Marlow Rosado y la Riqueña. The current track on RADIO TIMBA features Cuban singer Marlon Fernández siging the hit "Señor Sereno".  This new album, called RETRO, is an all-star release that counts with the participation of singers Bobby Cruz, Ismael Miranda, Tony Vega, Luigi Texidor, Marlon Fernández, Kevin Ceballo, Sonora Ponceña pianist "Papo" Luca, Salvador Cuevas (bass with Ruben Blades), Tito Puente Jr., and Quique Dominich (cuatro).

The new single "Fuego A La Jicotea" featuring Tito Puente Jr. is available on iTunes here.

Pavel leaves LVV: Bassist Pavel Molina announced he has left Los Van Van, possibly over some controversy generated from facebook comments he posted in regards to the recent death of beloved LVV conguero Manolo Labarrera. (photo courtesy of SalsaMadrid). Pavel and Manolo were very close.

New Maykel Blanco photos: Timba.com photographer Peter Maiden has a new feature in an International Salsa Digital Magazine. Check out this veryslick gallery here.

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Here's a new video from the 2012 Salsa Rueda Festival featuring Carlos Caro on bongó with Timbalive. More videos and pictures to come. Caro and Kevin Moore are currently working on the first installement of Beyond Salsa Bongó. Check for updates here.

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Grammy 2012 winner for Best Latin Tropical Album "The Last Mambo" is Isreal "Cachao" Lopez's live and very enjoyable collection of danzones and descargas -- a sublime celebration of classic Cuban music.

Highlights include "Descarga Candido" (feat. Candido Camero), "Jimmy En El Trombón" (feat. Jimmy Bosch), Dos Gardenias (feat. Lucrecia) and "El Cuarto De Tula" (feat. Issac Delgado).

Here's a selected list of the personnel on this great record...

Edwin Bonilla Conga (also a Grammy nominee for his own record in the same Tropical category)
Candido Camero Guest Appearance
Willy Chirino Guest Appearance
Anthony Columbie Vocals (Background)
Orestes Vilató Timbales 
Alfredo de la Fé Guest Appearance
Isaac Delgado Guest Appearance
Kiwzo Fumero Trumpet
Generoso Jiménez Composer
Alvaro León Bongos
Lisette Morales Guest Appearance (singer of the Miami's Celia Cruz All-Stars)
Lucrecia Guest Appearance
Rafael "Tata" Palau Saxophone
Gerardo Peña Flute
Ignacio Piñeiro Composer

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