15 Songs by Cuban Artists, Absolutely Worth Your Time
I was only in Cuba for a short time (10 days) but during that time, music was everywhere, whether it was a full band in the streets of Havana, a lone Troubadour in a Trinidad restaurant or a small metal festival in a car park in Santa Clara. For a country whose government has a long history of actively stifling its musicians there is an incredibly vibrant scene. Now I'm not big into rumba or jazz so this is a list more tuned to my own tastes and features a lot of hip-hop, some punk and some metal and hopefully shows some of the diversity to Cuban music that you might not be aware of. Let's get on with the list. You can listen along to a handy playlist here.
1. Machete - Orishas - Cosita Buena
Ever seen the Danny Trejo movie Machete? Well this song isn't on the soundtrack but with the name and the vibe it throws out there, it really should be. A song for rolling the mean streets of wherever you're from and preparing to fuck shit up...or just bopping your head along to the infectious beat and shouting along to the gang vocal cries of "al machete!".
2. Sin Protocolo - Al Quetz, El Tipo Este - Le Revancha de la Manana
From the first moment to the last it's all about that utterly contagious trumpet on Sin Protocolo. Well apart from that bit where it gives way to some jazz lounge piano. Am I selling this to you?
3. Victimas - Obsesion - El Disco Negro de Obsesion
Trumpet flourishes, saxophone grunts, muted but delightful bass and a silky smooth verbal flow combine to make Victimas a real delight to listen to. Perfect for a lazy Sunday drive.
4. Tumbao De La Unidad - Roberto Fonseco - ABUC
Did I say I was trying to avoid rumba and jazz? Well it's not easy with Cuban music okay? Tumbao De La Unidad fuses elements of jazz, rumba and other dancehall vibes with jagged bursts of guitar and folk vocals. Even I can't deny this is a great piece of music.
5. Yo Aprendi - Danay Suarez - Giles Peterson Presents Havana Cultura: The Search Continues
Look up any list of the current cream of Cuban artists and Danay Suarez will feature. Yo Aprendi is a great example of why that is. Danay has impeccable flow, and her rapping just drips with feeling, something only the best vocalists can do. I don't speak Spanish so I don't know the lyrical content but regardless it's an utterly heartbreaking listen.
6. Crisis De Fe - Los Aldeanos - Habana Flou
Crisis De Fe is another cheery listen (read: not cheery). It's downbeat but at the same time the almost shouted vocals ramp up the intensity to breaking point. Bizarre looped vocals, a pounding drumbeat and sparing use of bass complete the musical canvas. Everything about this song bursts with emotion.
7. Ibeyi - No Man Is Big Enough For My Arms - Ash
Hummed vocals, a pondering beat and a heavy use of samples from an empowering Michelle Obama speech. You might describe this as electronica but it's much more than that. A deliriously good song with a great message. I can't get enough of this.
8. Losing My Religion (feat. REM & Ali Farka Toure Band) - Rythmns Del Mundo - Rythmns Del Mundo Africa
Rythmns Del Mundo was a charity album developed in Cuba featuring remixes of major artists with traditional Afro-Cuban music. Losing My Religion is one of my favourite songs by any artist ever and this version featuring African and Asian vibes is absolutely stunning.
9. Diversion - Adictox - 2
I could have picked almost any song from 2 by Adictox which is an album of sprightly pop punk at its classic best. Adictox aren't particulary original and they don't do anything fancy but they write great, pacy, addictive punk rock bangers and without those sometimes annoying nasaly vocals that often define the genre. The lead guitar line that pervades Diversion makes me feel 15 again. Wonderful.
10. Avenida del Desengano - Cancerberos - Yo Rodaron Los Dados
Cancerberos could be described as Adictox's harder, big brother. Avenida del Desengano has a heavier punk rock sound complete with chugging riffs, rasping lead guitars, shouted gang vocals and a short but sweet, fuck yeah solo.
11. Scatter Brain - Rice and Beans - The Need To See
Remember Nu Metal? Well Rice and Beans clearly do. Maybe not the best example of the genre but Scatter Brain features huge riffs, gravelly screams and a goofy but decent chorus. For those who grew up during one of the most ludicrous times in rock music, it's as familiar as your favourite blanket that you pretend you don't still have.
12. Tierra de la Cruz - Zeus - Rock Vivo
Zeus are the grandaddy of Cuban metal. They combine elements of heavy metal and thrash and have some serious groove to them too. I can hear elements of Metallica and Rammstein in Tierra de la Cruz so, as you can inagine, there are incredible riffs, gruff vocals and stupidly good guitar solos.
13. Guantanamera - Tendencia - Confidencial
Without knowing it, you know Guantanamera already. It's that song that fuels the chants of "there's only one (insert lauded figure here), there's only one ...". However this version by Tendencia takes the classic Cuban folk song and turns it into a monstrous, groovy, riff machine. The melding of huge riffs with rumba style drums and clean singing on the verses, before launching into harsh hardcore vocals is genius.
14. Ahora Te Puede Marchar - Adictox - 2
In the grand tradition of punk covers, Adictox (yes them again) have produced a belter. This cover of I Only Want To Be With You by Dusty Springfield is the penultimate track on 2 and if it doesn't bring a smile to your face then you have no soul.
15. Hasta Siempre, Comandante - Carlos Puebla Y Sus Tradicionales - La Caimanera
More traditional fare this, included as somewhat of a pallet cleanser following all that heavier music. Regardless of your own thoughts on Che Guevara, he is an enduring hero in Cuba and Hasta Siempra, Comandante is a love letter from the people to their leader. It's also a great song.
That's it, list over. I hope you've enjoyed some or all of the music I've selected and that it inspires you to dive in to the Cuban music scene to discover some of your own favourites. If you want some more (expertly) curated music then why not also try my list of Mexican Songs here.
Until next time.
Peace.
