[New] CUBA Sounds: Havana Cultura...Hay Calor Aqui Muchacha!!!

One of my favourite DJs and gourmet of international musical flavors, Gilles Peterson, was recently interviewed (watch video above) about his latest project: Havana Cultura. Further developing the legacy of the highly acclaimed Buena Vista Social Club project (1997), Peterson went to the legendary Egrem Studios  on a mission to bring together the Urban sounds of Havana's streets with the Tradition of Cuban music. Supported in this delicate process by none other than the piano-virtuoso Roberto Fonseca and his stellar band, our favourite taste-maker serves a flamboyant menu of hip hop, funk, reggaeton and R&B together with Latin, Afro jazz & fusion. 

“I had a few covers as starters: one from Fela to capture that true Afro-Cuban fusion; a Blue Note joint as a 70th anniversary gift; and a couple of Cuban faves from my Ballroom days - 'Chekere Son' and some Juan Pablo Torres. The rest was pretty much controlled jamming, picking up the Rumba boys from the bar below, or convincing Mayra Valdes to hit it freestyle.”

Havana Cultura is really introducing the  next generation of talented Cuban musicians  to the global world: vocalist Danay (defined "Cuba's Jill Scott" in Peterson's own words) Cuban hip-hop rising star Kumar, jazz pianist Roberto Fonseca and...Gente de Zona, Francis del Rio, Doble Filo, Obsesion, Ogguere, Los Adeanos, Wichy de Vedado, Free Hole Negro, Telmary, Cubanito 20.02, Harold Lopez-Nussa, Descemer Bueno & Kelvis Ocohoa, Yusa, Vince Vella, Mayra Caridad Valdes.

The true Spirit of Cuba captured by Havana Cultura was then creatively processed by a dream-team of trusted producers: Louie Vega, MJ Cole, 4hero, Carl Cox, Rainer Trüby, Gotan Project’s Philippe Cohen Solal, Seiji, Michel Cleis and Mocky. 

Check out the full track-list of the Double Album on the Official Brownswood Recordings shop. 

In the meantime, enjoy this tasty bonus DJ mix courtesy of Gilles himself...
  Havana Cultura: Remixed // Gilles Peterson Bonus DJ Mix by gillespeterson

Wanna know more? here's a brief review and track-list:

"CD02 in the Havana Cultura Remixed package boasts a bonus DJ mix courtesy of Gilles himself that neatly weaves together the disparate threads that make up a typical Peterson DJ set. From the stirring percussion and meandering groove of Louie Vega’s marathon Latin workout of 'Roforofo Fight' to the hi-octane Benga-esque skank delivered by Carl Cox and the lazy ebb and flow of Michel Cleis’ magnificent shuffling houser, this is Gilles in his element."

Gilles Peterson bonus DJ mix Tracklist:

01. Think Twice / 4hero Remix feat. Danay & Carina
02. Mami / Productor en Jefe Tropicalia Remix
03. Afrodisia / Rainer Trueby Remix
04. Roforofo Fight / Louie Vega EOL Remix
05. Roforofo Fight / Louie Vega Remix
06. Lagrimas de Soledad (No Existen Palabras) / d'Wala Riddimix
07. Chekere Son / Alex Patchwork Remix
08. La Revolucion del Cuerpo / Skinner's Owiney Sigoma Remix
09. Rezando / Michel Cleis Remix
10. Chekere Son / Seiji Rerub
11. Arroz Con Pollo / MJ Cole Remix
12. Arroz Con Pollo / Carl Cox Remix

Enjoy Havana Cultura...Aché!