Havana Cultura Anthology”, presented by Gilles Peterson celebrates eight years of the Havana Cultura series. The Havana Cultura initiative was founded in 2007 under the auspices of Cuban rum maker Havana Club. He extended an invitation to Gilles to visit Cuba and listen first hand to the emerging diverse talent channeling all genres. It was an easy decision based on the superb compositions presented here. The Havana Cultura Band figures prominently throughout but there are other sterling performances as well. “Espera Mi Gente” is simmering down-tempo fusion from the band which includes performances from Edrey Riveri aka Ogguere and Danay Suarez on vocals. The energy level kicks up a few levels on “Roforofo Fight” featuring vocalist Mayra Caridad Valdes. Jazz and Hip-Hop mesh seamlessly on “Check La Rima”, the band’s cover of A Tribe Called Qwest’s “Check The Rhyme”. If this is your first exposure to this splendid series then you’re in for a treat. If you’re already familiar then you can expect a continuation of the finest that Cuba has to offer.
