In April 2016, we had a chat and wished good luck to Jenner Del Vecchio for his upcoming new Cuban adventure called MANANA festival. So, it’s a great feeling, little more than a year later, to write once again about one of the most intriguing events of 2016, even if under a slightly different perspective.
Because Jenner and Harry Follett (the two co-founders of MANANA) are bringing the soul and vibes of the festival from Santiago de Cuba to London, for a one-off show at the Barbican.
What struck us about the MANANA project, next to its remarkable line-up, was its organic dimensions and absolute musical communion between Cuban artists and international DJs and producers. It will happen again, more than 4000 miles away from the Caribbean Sea and you’ll have the chance to experience it for yourself in little more the 4 weeks.
London based DJs Soundspecies, IDM duo Plaid and Italian DJ Tennis, will mix their electronic sound with Cuban and Afro-Cuban rhythms of Ariwo, Obbatuké, Aché Mey and Alain Garcia Artola (third co-founder of MANANA).
…and for one night, the concrete structure of the Barbican will appear warm, vivid and buzzing, just like Santiago’s Plaza de la Revolución.
| Date | Event name | Artist | City/Town | Venue |
| 13 Jul | ARIWO & FRIENDS // AFRO CUBAN & ELECTRONIC JAM SESSION | Ariwo | London | Grow, Hackney Wick |
![Album Review: Ariwo – Quasi [MANANA Records; May 2019]](https://www.rhythmpassport.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/ariwo-quasi-cover-620x620.jpg)
A four piece, Ariwo is made up of: Hammadi Valdes from Cuba on percussion; Oreste Noda; Canadian Jay Phelps (a renowned trumpeter who has played with Hugh Masekela, Wynton Marsalis and Soweto Kinch, among others); and Iranian-born composer/producer Pouya Ehsaei. They specialise in bringing traditional rhythms together into a modern…
Artists: Ariwo
The Keen brothers (Henry and Oliver) have a special affinity for music. It’s well known that family members have tight vocal harmonies, but it’s not so common to find siblings who are “well-tuned” DJs and producers and share the decks. Soundspecies are one of these rare examples. The musical journey…
Artists: Soundspecies
This year, we only got a glimpse of the music bonanza offered by the Womad UK weekend. Our stay in Malmesbury consisted of a hit-and-run or a ‘toccata-and-fugue’, in-keeping with the musical topic, and saw us pay a visit to Charlton Park on the last day of the event. Still,…
Artists: Ariwo , Benjamin Zephaniah , Benjamin Zephaniah and The Revolutionary Minds , Chico Trujillo , King Ayisoba , Msafiri Zawose , Noureddine Khourchid , Noureddine Khourchid & the Whirling Dervishes of Damascus![Album Review: Ariwo – Ariwo [Manana Records, June 2017]](https://www.rhythmpassport.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/a2879113004_16-620x620.jpg)
Ariwo‘s eponymous EP may only be four tracks long, but the length of the tracks gives it more of an album feel and, indeed, one on an opus level. Bridging an extraordinary cultural and global gap, this quartet is one part Iranian and three parts Cuban and explores the rich…
Artists: Ariwo
That euphoric swelling an artist feels when they connect with their audience is what rumba musicians describe as ‘Manana’. The purity of this Cuban chemistry was the motivation behind the 2016 Manana//Cuba Festival in Santiago de Cuba, the Manana record label, and subsequently this month’s Barbican gig. Three friends are…
Artists: Ariwo , Dj Tennis , Obbatuké , Plaid , Soundspecies , Yelfris Valdés
Ariwo are a little-known, and newly-established, world fusion act. Led by sound designer, Pouya Ehsaei, they are a quartet of celebrated instrumentalists exploring Afro-Cuban, Iranian and electronic atmospheres. Their ever-growing list of accolades and projects is immense, including trumpeter Yelfris Valdes’ participation in the Buena Vista Social Club, and Latin…
Artists: A Guy Called Gerald , Ariwo
As it’s happening since 2001, for ten days in April, London sounds and plays Latino. The responsibility rests on ¡COMO NO! which, 15 years ago, started to organise one of the most chéveres Festivals of the London music scene. La Linea has indeed brought to the British capital some of the finest,…
Artists: A Guy Called Gerald , Adanovsky & Xavi y Los Imanes , Ana Moura , Ariwo , Baloji , Calexico , Chico Trujillo , Criolo , Daymé Arocena , La Yegros
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