Beyond the troba, beyond the intimate and therefore limited world of the ``singer-songwriter", is the broad, rich musical territory occupied by Habana Abierta, a group of eight creative young Cuban artists:
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-Alejandro Gutiérrez: Possible the bolerista for the new times, with influences from filin and urban music from the south of the continent.
-Luis Alberto Barbería: Often uses Cuban and Afro-Cuban rhythms. His melodies often reveal jazz and acid jazz influences.
-Andy Villalón: His most obvious influences come from Brazil and modern jazz. His mastery of the guitar and vocal arts augurs a bright future.
-Ihosvani ``Vanito" Caballero: Chronicler of the personal, a versatile writer, his work ranges from the pop ballad to the most traditional of Cuban music.
-Boris Larramendi: Combines traditional Cuban rhythms and melodies with grunge and acid jazz.
--Kelvis Ochoa: Though firmly embedded in pop traditions, his music also has rock influences. Perhaps his most differentiating characteristic is his vocal work.
-José Luis Medina: Britpop meets Cuban rhythm. Ironic, direct lyrics.
Pepe Del Valle: Achieves surprising results by blending traditional Cuban music with guaracha and son and the everyday poetry of his lyrics.
Latin rock, the modern ballad, son, rap and fine contemporary lyrics are just a few of the rich and varied ingredients which go into this particular artistic dish.
With just the barest idea of the situation in Cuba, anyone would expect this record to be nothing more than a dark, desperate chronicle of everyday desolation. Nothing further from the truth. Day by day, Habana Abierta composes the soundtrack to Cuban hope, a hope founded on equal measures of courage, struggle, culture, a delightfully cheerful attitude to the everyday and of total commitment to the transcendent, and exquisite, all-embracing generosity and sensitivity.
Habana Abierta makes it easy for us to give our support joyfully, neither our conscience nor our feet standing still for an instant.
RECORDING COMPANY: BMG
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