UK DJ Gilles Peterson seems to have his hand in everything obscure and world related these days (he’s even coming to Womadelaide), becoming pretty much a brand unto himself. Released on his own label this two disc set comes from an organisation (sponsored by Havana Club rum) designed to represent contemporary Cuban culture to the world. They’ve even got a website http://www.havana-cultura.com. Peterson wants to present something a little more than a glimpse of the past. He’ll leave the oldies from the Buena Vista Social Club to Ry Cooder, and search out the new blood.
On the first disc Peterson puts together and records an ensemble of his own making in Havana that includes pianist Roberto Fonseca that he christens the Havana Cultura Band, blending hip hop, jazz and Latin, reaching for more than just the traditional rhumba of the island and finding a unique, though still distinctively Cuban, contemporary style. The most unexpected tune is the cover of Fela Kuti’s ‘Roforofo Fight’, voiced by gorgeous female singer Mayra Caridad Valdes, which really unites Africa and Latin music, something that strangely enough already occurred in the 50’s in the Congo. Some of the hip hop is pretty interesting too, and these cross pollinations really do feel new, taking ‘La Revolucion del cuerpo’ from Ogguere (it’s on disc 2) and handing it over to his band and two rappers Danay & Obsession.
The second disc is comprised of music that was already occurring prior to Peterson’s involvement, again contemporary ensembles that are heavy on the hip hop, but also take in reggaetron, electronic grooves, even r&b, alongside more traditional style instrumentation, mostly with ever-present electronic beats. Most interesting is Wichy De Vedado & Tony Rodriguez’s stilted electronic funk take on the slinky middle Eastern feel of ‘Caravan’, which of course was first made famous by Duke Ellington. It’s a pretty special collection, emphasising what a creative time it is in Cuba, traces of influences float around haphazardly and you can get beautiful moments like traditional sounding piano solos between hip hop verses.
Bob Baker Fish
