The premier release of Rhythm & Smoke: "The Cuba Sessions" has come out in a joint venture between Global Disc Records, an independent label specializing in bringing successful overseas artists to America, and Platinum Entertainment, a company that produces and releases an eclectic musical catalog that includes World, Electronic and Classical genres.
First in a series of releases on world beat music, "The Cuba Sessions" delivers a sensuous blend of sultry beats and music performed by the top musicians from Cuba. What began as a soundtrack to accompany a film documentary about Cuban cigars, culture and music evolved into a full-fledged recording project.
Walker Evans captures a general store advertising
"cigarros," photographed in Cuba in 1933. This photo
was exhibited at the International Center of Photography,
1130 Fifth Avenue, NYC, last month. For more infor-
mation on upcoming show, contact Community Programs
at (212) 860-1485 ext. 154.
The "Rhythm & Smoke" sessions took place during a seven-day period at the Sono-Caribe Studios in Havana. Over one hundred of the country's most highly regarded musicians and established artists participated. The project also attracted newly discovered talents such as CachiBache, Catarsis and Cantores de Rosario.
The diversity of music from groups of people around the world that settled in Cuba over the years has a definitive influence on the styles found there. There is no denying that the rich mix of European harmonies from Spain and France and the rhythmic influence brought to Cuba from the various countries in Africa explain the acceptance, popularity and enjoyment of Cuban music around the world. Rhythm & Smoke: "The Cuba Sessions" is available on compact disc.
