Vitaly y su Timba Habanera.... are releasing a new album... and following it up with a major European tour!

The first album, "Desnudar tu Cuerpo”, regrettably never really made it. Rather strange, because I find it to be one of the best produced albums ever – well composed tracks throughout, but with a delicate and refined understanding of each tune, which surprises you in each track. I do not know much about the lyrics as my Spanish knowledge is extremely limited – I must leave such analyses of the writer’s expressions to others. But I maintain my regret that this album never had the breakthrough it really deserves. It is my big hope, however, that the coming album (I do not know its name yet) may now lead the way for the former, so that more people will want to listen to it.
Around Christmas, Vitali trusted me with the information that a new album was underway – but as it was still in its very early days of production and not all deals had been finalised – I had to promise to keep my mouth shut ;-) I feel very proud and honoured to have been entrusted so early with a piece of salsa news which to me is one of the greatest in recent times. I have listened in on a very, very early demo recording of one of the new tracks – I admit that on that day I caught myself dancing around my living room with my head in the clouds – unfortunately, that demo cannot be played in a salsa club :-((((( But even though it was “just” a synthesizer version, I could still sense both the melody and the composition in the music – that which I believe Vitali masters to perfection: His ability to capture a melody in such a way that you cannot help but coming back to find new phrases and discover new intricacies and refined details in each and every one. If I must compare Vitali’s talent for composition to the work of any other artist – it would have to be Issac Delgado’s "En primerea la Plana" – Delgado also has the ability to bring out beautiful harmonies and create a refined and well composed melody – without ending up with the flavour of yesterday which tires the listener after a few replays.
Dancewise, the first album, “Desnudar tu Cuerpo”, was rather laid back – and I happen to know that the new release is going to be more up-beat. Besides that, Vitali remains very secretive about the new album (trust me, I have been pestering him for more info :-) and who contributes to it – maybe because some formalities still need to be settled here and there. I have my suspicions, though, and also hope there are a number of reappearances from the first album… among others, I have high hopes that our “almost native Danish Cuban” Alexander Abreu (Grupo Danson / Havana D’primera) has contributed, and I also hope he might have voiced a few tracks :-) … However, I DO know that Giraldo Piloto and Alberto Alberto wrote the lyrics – so I would be surprised if Piloto did not join the percussionists somewhere along the way or if Alberto Alberto did not sing a couple of songs. Either way and almost no matter who has played along I am certain the album will be excellently produced and my expectations are sky high :-)

In the middle of a chat session one rainy Sunday afternoon, Vitali suddenly writes: Salsani, can I ask you a question? (HELL, YES – I think – you can ask me any question you want… :-))). Could you tell me which festival organizers you have in Denmark…? I hesitate a moment and think… Why, now? And a smile curls my lips… Of course… Vitali is organizing a tour to promote the new album… and if I have to take out a bank loan, Vitali MUST come to Århus(my town) – I’ll be damned if I don’t make that happen :-) It will become the greatest salsa event of the year – and probably many years to come – for me and hopefully for all the rest of you too… It is one thing to hear a great album, it is something completely different to hear it all performed LIVE… and watch your idol on stage. The album is planned for release in May or June and I suspect a concert some time this Summer is a possibility ;.-)... Uuuuuuuh, I can’t wait!!!!

Other great news.....

Haila has released a new album – I have been through it a couple of times now and found a couple of nice tracks – a new remix of Quién Fue is also included, a rather pop version, though. You can hear sample clips on Prodland click here… - my good friend Ricky, who is a big fan of Haila, has promised to bring an excellent review of the album (most likely totally biased as he is a mega fan)…

Tirso Duarte also released a new album… "Fin Del Juego”, and I fell for it right away… good, dance friendly tracks and especially "La madre Maria” has been well received on the dance floor. Tirso D. – who is originally a band member of Pupy’s – released the album “Pan con chocolat” with Michel Perez last year. At first, I was somewhat disappointed with this somewhat club-unfriendly album – but now the CD occupies my CD player at home rather often, nevertheless – so it is good for just listening. The new album, on the other hand, is very up-beat with good melodies… and the dance floor crowd loves it!!!!

Adalberto Álvarez has released a few teasers on his Myspace profile, and a single track found its way to the compilation “Latino vol. 21”. Check it click here: Gonzando el la Habana. Listen to it here: … nice dance track with just the right Adalberto sound. There is another demo safely tugged away in our collection – it is “Si No Vas A Bailar” and is available on Estilo’s page on Myspace.
Adalberto is coming to Denmark on April 9th to play at Train in Århus :-) … so block out that day – luckily, Estilo and I are booked as DJs for this event, and hopefully I also get to assist Steen P in the kitchen in preparing dinner for Adalberto & Co :-)