Spam All Stars at Hoy Como Ayer, Miami, FL, 26 April 2012
Francis del Rio at Cueva Azul, 27 April 2012

 by Bill Tilford, All Rights Reserved

(Note:  These photos were taken with our "recreational " camera rather than our pro model, and the image quality is therefore lesser than usual.)

Francis del Rio (1st three photos from upper left)  performs with Interactivo in Cuba and has also recorded some side projects under his own name in a style similar to some of Interactivo's work.   This was from an entertaining set in which he was joined by musicians from several area bands as the night/morning progressed. One of the highlights of the evening was his  song about his "Grandmmy" (see photos). Now that Miami's Timbalive has received a nomination in Cubadisco 2012, this would be a good moment for LARAS here to consider whether it should be paying more attention to the best new music coming out of Cuba  going forward.  

The Spam All Stars is a collective of musicians (some locals have called it a jam band)  led by DJ Le Spam.   Think Acid Jazz meets Afrocuban.   Mostly instrumentals with Funk and Cuban music deeply woven together.  Along with Palo!  and Tropicasa,  the Spam All Stars have been bringing this mix of influences to Hoy Como Ayer on a regular basis.