Preview: Manana//Cuba: A Night of Afro-Cuban Collaborations featuring DJ Tennis, Plaid, Ariwo, Soundspecies and Obbatuké @ Barbican (London, 26th May 2017)
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.
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…
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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…
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