Havana Cultura: Remixed

Havana Cultura: Remixed

03 June, 2010
by: Robertswaine86

Rob Swaine reviews, 'Havana Cultura: Remixed', the follow up album to 'Gilles Peterson presents Havana Cultura: New Cuba Sound', and finds himself in Havana heaven.

With a release date of June 7th, this sensational Latin-fuelled electronica album is unleashed just in time to become the perfect soundtrack to your summer. 'Havana Cultura: Remixed' is the follow-up album to the outstanding 'Gilles Peterson presents Havana Cultura: New Cuba Sound', that was put out by Brownswood in October at the end of 2009. The original album was the product of an in-depth two-year exploration of the underground Cuban hip hop, afro-jazz, reggaeton and funk music scene, and a series of recording sessions taken over twelve months in the world famous Egrem Studios in Havana, culminating in a double CD release. The first of the two CDs featured cover versions and some original material as played by Gilles Peterson's Havana Cultura Band, and it is these tracks that have been remixed by a whole host of exciting global electronic dance artists on the latest album.

With eleven remixes in total, a couple of them being of the same original song, it's amazing how every one tune is completely different from the next. Each individual artist has clearly taken their time to create something original in itself. Choosing the right remixers for the job was no easy task for Gilles Peterson and his production team either. Maintaining the same high standard of musical quality as delivered on the first Havana Cultura release would have been at the forefront of their minds. Listening to the vastly diverse sonic output of this new album, it's clear that they made the right choices.

Picking highlights from the album is a tough task but there are some stand-out tracks. The three remixes of 'Arroz Con Pollo' by Carl Cox, MJ Cole and Gotan Project's Philippe Cohen Solal, are all incredible songs in their own right. Whereas Carl Cox takes the track down the spaced-out dubstep route reminiscent of a Benga tune, MJ Cole keeps much of the upbeat Latin soul from the original, adding a driving bassline to some processed soca rimshot rhythms. Meanwhile the 'Solal "Soy Cuba" Remix' is a downtempo afro-beat take of the same song, but focuses much more on the playful vocal aspect of the original. Also worth mentioning is the remix of 'Chekere Son' by Wichy de Vedado, who was specifically chosen as a Cuban remixer, and presented with the opportunity to fully exploit the Havana vibes from the Egrem recordings. His remix is a beautifully percussive, organic Latin explosion that really hammers home the origins of the overall release.

'Havana Cultura: Remixed' also comes as a double CD. On the second CD is an hour long mix by Gilles Peterson himself, that brings together all the remixes from the first CD including the four already mentioned and the remaining remixes by Seiji, Productor en Jefe, Michel Cleis, Skinner, 4hero, Rainer Trueby and Louie Vega, plus a few extras. The mix is typical of a Peterson set, flowing smoothly and seamlessly from one tune to the next. The hour is over before you even realise it but you're left feeling all tingly and warm inside. Both CDs complement eachother perfectly and this is a must have for any DJ or Cuban music enthusiast.

Now on tour, you can catch Gilles Peterson present 'Havana Culture: Remixed' this Friday at East Village in Shoreditch, with support from Seiji and Sofrito. Now the sun's finally peering through the clouds, Peterson presents the ultimate gift to celebrate summer's late arrival.

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Robertswaine86