GILLES PETERSON PRESENTS HAVANA CULTURA: REMIXED CD02 / BONUS DJ MIX BY GILLES PETERSON CD01 / THE REMIXES 01. THINK TWICE / 4HERO REMIX FEAT. DANAY & CARINA 01. MAMI / EDGARO EL PRODUCTOR EN JEFE TROPICALIA REMIX 02. MAMI / EDGARO EL PRODUCTOR EN JEFE TROPICALIA REMIX 02. ROFOROFO FIGHT / LOUIE VEGA’S EOL MIX 03. AFRODISIA / RAINER TRUEBY REMIX 03. REZANDO / MICHEL CLEIS REMIX 04. ROFOROFO FIGHT / LOUIE VEGA’S EOL MIX 04. CHEKERE SON / SEIJI RERUB 05. ROFOROFO FIGHT / LOUIE VEGA REMIX 05. ARROZ CON POLLO / MJ COLE REMIX 06. LAGRIMAS DE SOLEDAD (NO EXISTEN PALABRAS) / D’WALA RIDDIMIX 06. ARROZ CON POLLO / CARL COX MIX 07. CHEKERE SON / ALEX PATCHWORK REMIX 07. LA REVOLUCION DEL CUERPO PT.1 / SKINNER’S OWINEY SIGOMA MIX 08. LA REVOLUCION DEL CUERPO PT.1 / SKINNER’S OWINEY SIGOMA MIX 08. AFRODISIA / RAINER TRUEBY REMIX 09. REZANDO / MICHEL CLEIS REMIX 09. THINK TWICE / 4HERO REMIX FEAT. DANAY & CARINA 10. CHEKERE SON / SEIJI RERUB 10. ARROZ CON POLLO / SOLAL “SOY CUBA” REMIX 11. ARROZ CON POLLO / MJ COLE REMIX 11. CHEKERE SON / WICHY DE VEDADO REMIX 12. ARROZ CON POLLO / CARL COX MIX BONUS TRACKS 12. ROFOROFO FIGHT (LOUIE VEGA’S REMIX) 13. LAGRIMAS DE SOLEDAD (NO EXISTEN PALABRAS) D’WALA REMIX 14. CHEKERE SON (ALEX PATCHWORK REMIX) + GILLES PETERSON PRESENTS THE MAKING OF HAVANA CULTURA 15. LAGRIMAS DE SOLEDAD (NO EXISTEN PALABRAS) VINCE VELLA REMIX A 12 MINUTE DOCUMENTARY FOREWORD

When the opportunity to travel to Cuba and check out the new generation of Havana-based artists popped up in September 2008, I grabbed it with both hands. My initial exploratory trip with Yuset and Francois only lasted a few days, not even the weekend, but shifting quickly through 1950's Chevrolet gears we rifled through the city picking up sounds in every nook and cranny. Then, come the spring of '09, I was preparing for a 5-day Egrem Studios love-in. Vince Vella was my co-producer and Roberto Fonseca was my overall saviour and chief of operations with Orestes by his side conducting the desk. The band was Fonseca's and the groove was free. I had a few covers as starters: one from Fela to capture that true Afro-Cuban fusion; a Blue Note joint as a 70th anniversary gift; and a couple of Cuban faves from my Ballroom days - Irakere's Chekere Son and some Juan Pablo Torres. The rest was pretty much controlled jamming, picking up the Rumba boys from the bar below, or convincing Mayra Caridad Valdes to hit it freestyle. What a week we had in this iconic spot. I feel so blessed to have worked with these guys (folk who take their art very seriously, but always with a smile at the end of the session) and I'm so proud of the album that we made - 'Gilles Peterson presents Havana Cultura'.

For me, it was just a natural progression to rework those live studio jams and take them to the club domain. For example I felt sure that Louie Vega would be able to elevate the Afro groove of Roforofo Fight to new heights and he did not disappoint me. Likewise Seiji who morphs Chekere Son into a thundering club banger and Michael Cleis who turns in a gloriously meandering and utterly epic four-on-the-floor workout of Rezando. A handful of veteran maestros - 4hero, Rainer Trueby, MJ Cole and Carl Cox - alongside the cream of the Cuban electronic scene - Wichy de Vedado and Edgaro from Doble Filo - makes for an intriguing blend of the traditional and the contemporary. I hope you enjoy the fruits of our labours.

Gilles Peterson

HAVANA CULTURA

A window on contemporary Cuban culture, Havana Cultura exists to give the spirit of Havana a global voice.

You don't have to search far in Havana to find evidence of creativity. But you have to search carefully. Listen for those few notes of Afro-Cuban jazz coming from a piano as you stroll along the Paseo del Prado; read the poem scribbled on a tiny piece of paper and left at an Orisha shrine. Artistic expression surges from every corner of the city, showing no sign of letting up. In Havana's art galleries and museums, its open-air markets, schools, abandoned factories and tiny studio flats, artists are showing what they do.

Someone once remarked that all Cuban music is dance music, but that doesn't prepare you for the virtuosity of the musicians performing at these dance clubs or in just about any of Havana's cafes, concert halls, cabarets, or bodegas.

Havana Cultura is proud to enable Havana's artists – from musicians to dancers, visual artists to writers – to showcase their work, energy and passion to the world. It's an international effort, originating in Havana and made possible by the ultimate icon of Havana: Havana Club rum.

'Gilles Peterson presents Havana Cultura: Remixed' is the second CD in a series established to celebrate Cuba's freshest musical talent, from Latin and Afro-jazz to hip hop, funk, reggaeton, pop and R&B. It features a string of superb remixes of the tracks recorded by Gilles Peterson's all-star Havana Cultura Band at the legendary Egrem Studios in Havana, plus an awesome bonus DJ mix by the man himself.

Many of the Cuban artists who feature on the CD, including celebrated pianist Roberto Fonseca, are profiled through video interviews on www.havana-cultura.com

As for the rest… stay tuned. ROBERTO FONSECA AND THE HAVANA CULTURA BAND

A giant of the global jazz community, Roberto has shared the stage with Cuban legends such as Rubén González, Ibrahim Ferrer and Omara Portuondo. He plays the piano with awe-inspiring sensitivity to the melody and rhythmic forces that marry the musical cultures of America, Brazil, Bulgaria, Arabia and Cuba, releasing his fifth solo album ‘Akokan’ in 2009. Working alongside Gilles, they brought together a handful of Cuba's finest musicians to bring their vision to life. The mighty Ramses Rodriguez on drums; Omar Gonzalez on bass; old school wizard Javier Zalba on flute and saxophone; the prodigious Yelfris Valdes on trumpet; and the legendary percussionist Yaroldy Abreu. Flourishing under the direction of Mssrs Fonseca, Peterson and virtuoso engineer Vince Vella, these celebrated musicians captured the essence of the Havana Cultura groove.

Gigante de la comunidad jazzística mundial, Roberto ha compartido escenario con leyendas cubanas de la talla de Rubén González, Ibrahim Ferrer y Omara Portuondo. Toca el piano con una asombrosa sensibilidad hacia las fuerzas melódicas y rítmicas que logran el maridaje de las culturas musicales de América, Brasil, Bulgaria, Arabia y Cuba. El quinto álbum solista de Fonseca – Akokan – salió a la venta en 2009. Gilles y Roberto, corazón del proyecto Havana Cultura, reunieron a un puñado de los mejores músicos cubanos con el fin de dar vida a su concepción musical: el poderoso baterista Ramses Rodríguez; el bajista Omar González; el genio de la vieja escuela, Javier Zalba, como flautista y saxofonista; el prodigioso trompetista Yelfris Valdes, y el legendario percusionista Yaroldy Abreu. Todos ellos, bajo la dirección de Fonseca, de Peterson y del virtuoso ingeniero de sonido Vince Vella, lograron captar la esencia del ritmo de Havana Cultura. DANAY

A 24-year-old soul sister who has drawn comparisons with the likes of Erykah Badu and Jill Scott, Danay eschews a gangster lean for a more conscious delivery with her honeyed vocals and effortless rhyme flows. Born in Havana’s Cerro district, today she lives with mother and sister in Santa Fe (on the fringes of the capital). Solo material is scarce but she has collaborated with Aldo – of Los Aldeanos – and popular Cuban fusion artist X Alfonso.

Cantante soul de 24 años de edad, comparada por algunos con Erykah Badu o Jill Scott, Danay se aparta del estilo ‘gangster’ para llegar al público, de una forma más consciente, con sus letras melosas y el flujo sencillo de sus ritmos. Nacida en el barrio del Cerro de La Habana, en la actualidad reside con su madre y su hermana en Santa Fe (en la periferia de la capital). Aunque no se ha publicado mucho material suyo en solitario, cuenta con diversas colaboraciones con Aldo – de Los Aldeanos – y con el popular artista de fusión cubano X Alfonso.

photo by Youri Lenquette OGGUERE

Translated as “soul of the earth”, Ogguere are one of the hottest and most inventive hip hop bands in Cuba. Members Edrey and Ulises blend an original mixture of Cuban rhythms – mambo, son and cha-cha-cha – with funk, rumba and rap. They are most famous in Cuba for their smash hit ‘Como Esta el Yogurt?’ with the title of the song now immortalised in street culture as a commonly used phrase.

Con un nombre que, traducido, quiere decir “alma de la tierra”, Ogguere es uno de los grupos de hip-hop más “calientes” y con mayor inventiva de Cuba. Sus integrantes Edrey y Ulises logran una original fusión de diversos ritmos cubanos – mambo, son y cha-cha-chá – con el funk, la rumba y el rap. En Cuba son muy famosos por su rotundo éxito ‘¿Cómo Está el Yogurt?’, título que la cultura callejera se ha encargado de inmortalizar, convirtiéndolo en una frase cotidiana.

photo by Youri Lenquette WICHY DE VEDADO

A pillar of Havana’s underground electronic music scene, Wichy’s musical journey began with imported American 80s pop. A group of German DJs visiting Havana opened his ears to acid house, inspiring him to experiment with his own homemade electronic loops, applying them to soundtracks for short features. Lately he has been working with jazz pianist Tony Rodriguez as D’Jazz, a global project blending DJing and live jazz music.

Considerado uno de los pilares de la escena musical electrónica underground de La Habana, Wichy inicia su periplo musical con pop de los años 80 importado de Norteamérica. Un grupo de DJs alemanes de visita por La Habana, abrieron sus oídos al acid house, que les inspiró a experimentar con sus propios ritmos electrónicos de fabricación casera, y a incluirlos en bandas sonoras para producciones de corta duración. En los últimos tiempos ha trabajado con el pianista de jazz Tony Rodriguez bajo el nombre de D’Jazz, un proyecto global que fusiona DJing y jazz en directo.

photo by Youri Lenquette DOBLE FILO

Working the angles on an experimental hip hop tip, Doble Filo has existed in various incarnations since 1995, for the most part as a duo. However, Yrak Saenz and Edgaro (aka Edgar Gonzales) recently teamed up with a third member DJ Dark aka Alain Medina. The group’s hip hop credentials are impeccable. Not only did they originate in Alamar, the hub of Havana’s hip hop scene, but they share credit for starting the multi-disciplinary art collective La FabriK.

Trabajando sobre los ángulos de un tipo de hip hop experimental, Doble Filo ha reencarnado en varias ocasiones desde 1995, casi siempre como dúo. No obstante, Yrak Saenz y Edgar González (aka Edgaro) incorporaron recientemente a un tercer integrante: Alain Medina (aka DJ Dark). Las credenciales del grupo dentro del mundo del hip-hop son impecables. No sólo se creó en Alamar, principal escenario del hip-hop de La Habana, sino que también comparten el mérito de haber sido co-fundadores de la agrupación artística La FabriK.

photo by Youri Lenquette GILLES PETERSON’S HAVANA CULTURA BAND – HAVANA CULTURA REMIXED

1. Mami feat. Roberto Fonseca (Edgaro el Productor en Jefe Tropicalia Remix) Remix - Vocals by Danay & Carina Andersson. Piano, Rhodes, Arps, Moogs, bass & drum (Roberto Fonseca - SGAE) Piano: Roberto Fonseca; double bass: Omar Gonzales; congas: programming by Marc Mac. Additional drums, percussion and guitars by Luke Parkhouse. Yaroldy Abreu; drums: Ramses Rodriguez; backing vocals (chorus): Roberto Fonseca, Vince Arrangement & production by Marc Mac. Additional vocal arrangement by Vince Vella. Mixed Vella, Yaroldy Abreu, Yelfris Valdés and Ramses Rodriguez. Remix and additional production by by Marc Mac @ Dukes Place. Edgaro el Productor en Jefe. Electric guitar: Dayron Gonzalez; Electric bass: Arvis Cunie; MPC 2000 programming: Edgaro el Productor en Jefe. Mixed by Edgaro el Productor en Jefe & Celso 10. Arroz Con Pollo feat. Ogguere (Solal “Soy Cuba” Remix) Corbillon. (Roberto Fonseca / Edrey Riveri) SGAE. Vocals: Ogguere; drums: Ramses Rodriguez; double bass: Omar Gonzalez; congas: Yaroldy Abreu; piano: Roberto Fonseca. “Soy Cuba” remix 2. Roforofo Fight feat. Mayra Caridad Valdés (Louie Vega’s EOL Mix) produced by Solal. Programming & sound: Jack Lahana. Electric guitar: Philippe Cohen Solal. (Kuti) Published by Strictly Confidential / EMI Music Publishing. Vocals: Mayra Caridad Valdés; backing vocals: Vince Vella & Ogguere; piano: Roberto Fonseca; bass: Omar Gonzalez; drums 11. Chekere Son feat. Mayra Caridad Valdés (Wichy de Vedado Remix) & timbales: Ramses Rodriguez; congas: Yaroldy Abreu; trumpet: Yelfris Valdés; baritone sax and (Paquito D'Rivera) Published by Havana New York Music (BMI), represented locally by Hendon alto sax: Javier Zalba. Remix produced & arranged by Louie Vega for Small Wonders Productions, Music Ltd. Vocals: Mayra Caridad Valdés; piano: Roberto Fonseca; drums: Ramses Rodriguez; Inc. Mix engineer: Yas Inoue; keyboards & piano solo: Junito Davila; electric bass: Gene Perez. Fender bass: Omar Gonzalez; flute and baritone sax: Javier Zalba; congas and percussion: Mixed and recorded at Daddy's Workshop, NJ. Yaroldy Abreu; backing vocals: Vince Vella, Roberto Fonseca, Yelfris Valdés and Yaroldy Abreu. Remix & additional production by Wichy de Vedado. 3. Rezando feat. Roberto Fonseca (Michel Cleis Remix) (Roberto Fonseca - SGAE) Piano: Roberto Fonseca; double bass: Omar Gonzalez; congas and CD2: BONUS TRACKS bata percussion: Yaroldy Abreu; drums: Ramses Rodriguez. Remix & additional production by Michel Cleis. Roforofo Fight (Louie Vega Remix) (Kuti) Published by Strictly Confidential / EMI Music Publishing. Vocals: Mayra Caridad Valdés; 4. Chekere Son feat. Mayra Caridad Valdés (Seiji Rerub) backing vocals: Vince Vella & Ogguere; piano: Roberto Fonseca; bass: Omar Gonzalez; drums (Paquito D'Rivera) Published by Havana New York Music (BMI), represented locally by Hendon & timbales: Ramses Rodriguez; congas: Yaroldy Abreu; trumpet: Yelfris Valdés; baritone sax and Music Ltd. Vocals: Mayra Caridad Valdés; piano: Roberto Fonseca; drums: Ramses Rodriguez; alto sax: Javier Zalba. Remix produced & arranged by Louie Vega for Small Wonders Fender bass: Omar Gonzalez; flute and baritone sax: Javier Zalba; congas and percussion: Productions, Inc. Mix engineer: Yas Inoue; keyboards & piano solo: Junito Davila; electric bass: Yaroldy Abreu; backing vocals: Vince Vella, Roberto Fonseca, Yelfris Valdés and Yaroldy Abreu. Gene Perez. Mixed and recorded at Daddy's Workshop, NJ. Remix & additional production by Seiji. Lagrimas de Soledad (No Existen Palabras) feat. Danay (d'Wala Riddimix) 5. Arroz con Pollo feat. Ogguere (MJ Cole Remix) (Aldo Rodriguez Baquero, Danay Suarez Fernandez) Vocals: Danay; vibes and piano: Roberto (Roberto Fonseca / Edrey Riveri) SGAE. Vocals: Ogguere; drums: Ramses Rodriguez; double Fonseca; udu drum: Yaroldy Abreu and Ramses Rodriguez; percussion: Yaroldy Abreu; double bass: Omar Gonzalez; congas: Yaroldy Abreu; piano: Roberto Fonseca. Remix & additional bass: Omar Gonzalez; cymbals: Ramses Rodriguez. Remix & additional production by d’Wala. production by MJ Cole. Chekere Son feat. Mayra Caridad Valdés (Alex Patchwork Remix) 6. Arroz con Pollo feat. Ogguere (Carl Cox Mix) (Paquito D'Rivera) Published by Havana New York Music (BMI), represented locally by Hendon (Roberto Fonseca / Edrey Riveri) SGAE. Vocals: Ogguere; drums: Ramses Rodriguez; double Music Ltd. Vocals: Mayra Caridad Valdés; piano: Roberto Fonseca; drums: Ramses Rodriguez; bass: Omar Gonzalez; congas: Yaroldy Abreu; piano: Roberto Fonseca. Remix & additional Fender bass: Omar Gonzalez; flute and baritone sax: Javier Zalba; congas and percussion: production by Carl Cox – safehousemanagement.com, www.carlcox.com Yaroldy Abreu; backing vocals: Vince Vella, Roberto Fonseca, Yelfris Valdés and Yaroldy Abreu. Remix & additional production by Alex Patchwork. 7. La Revolución del Cuerpo Pt.1 (Skinner's Owiney Sigoma Mix) (Ulises Quinones, Edrey Riveri) Vocals: Ogguere, Danay & Obsesión; congas and percussion: All tracks produced by Gilles Peterson. Co-produced by Roberto Fonseca and Vince Vella. Yaroldy Abreu and Rumberos de Cuba; clave: Roberto Fonseca; double bass: Omar Gonzalez. Production supervision, project management and coordination: Gilles Peterson, Vince Vella, Remix & additional production by T. Skinner. Simon Goffe and Francois Renié.

8. Afrodisia (Rainer Trueby Remix) Roberto Fonseca appears courtesy of Enja Records and Montuno Producciones (Dorham) EMI Music Publishing. Trumpet: Yelfris Valdés; drums: Ramses Rodriguez; double bass: Omar Gonzalez; piano: Roberto Fonseca; congas: Yaroldy Abreu; baritone sax: Javier Zalba. The original versions of these tracks are available on the album “Gilles Peterson presents Havana Remix & additional production by Rainer Trueby & Danilo Plessow. Cultura: New Cuba Sound” (BWOOD038CD) on Brownswood Recordings.

9. Think Twice feat. Danay & Carina (4hero Remix) P&C Brownswood Recordings 2010 (Mizzell, Sigidi, Mbaji) Universal Music Publishing. Arranged by Vince Vella and Roberto Fonseca. Vocals: Danay and Obsesión; piano: Roberto Fonseca; double bass: Omar Gonzalez; trumpet: A&R: Gilles Peterson Yelfris Valdés; drums and timbales: Ramses Rodriguez; congas, bata and percussion: Yaroldy A&R Co-ordination: Emily Moxon, Alex Stevenson & Fawaz Al-Jabban Abreu and Vince Vella. Mastering by Stuart Hawkes, Metropolis Mastering

www.havana-cultura.com www.gillespetersonworldwide.com Thank you to Francois Renié without whom this album would never have been possible.