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Alex Cuba

Singer-songwriter Alex*Cuba hails from Artemisa, Cuba (1 hour west of Havana) and resides in Smithers, B.C. (14 hours north of Vancouver). Musically, he lives everywhere in between. His trademark sugarcane-sweet melodies, pop-soul hooks and rock chords subtly subvert commonly held notions of what Cuban music is. Alex is on the vanguard, crafting a cross-cultural sound that mirrors his geographical journey. Not tied to tradition, this Cuban-Canadian prefers his vintage Gibson over el sencerro (cowbell) anytime. From his earliest years in Artemisa, he was immersed in music. Alex's first stage appearance on national TV was at the tender age of four, playing claves (a percussion instrument) in a group directed by his music instructor father. Alex went on to study guitar, tres, percussion and bass, practicing eight hours a day during his teens. After a stint with his twin brother Adonis to record Morumba Cubana, as The Puentes Brothers, Alex departed from Cuban music norms to follow his own path. His debut CD with the Alex Cuba Band, “Humo De Tabaco”, earned him a Juno award for World Music Album in 2006, with the single “Lo Mismo Que Yo”, featuring Ron Sexsmith charting in the Top 20 at BBC Radio 2. For “Humo”, Alex took UK producer Martin Terefe to Cuba to record the album’s funk infused horns and percussion, a sound that got under Terefe’s skin. By extension, that “Alex*Cuba sound” is now evident on Terefe’s productions for Craig David, Ron Sexsmith and Jason Mraz. After a musical and spiritual evolution, Cuba returned to the studio, this time with co-producer Joby Baker of Victoria, to record “Agua Del Pozo” which was released in Canada in February 2007 under his own Caracol Records imprint. Acclaimed for its blend of tempo, instrumentation and songwriting, the album is a clear evolution from the debut, punctuated by the introduction of Alex's electric guitar, a vintage Gibson. “Agua” earned Alex his second Juno Award for Best World Music album 2008. “Agua Del Pozo” was released in the U.S. with two unreleased tracks on September 22, 2009. Alex subsequently toured the U.S. in support of the release. In the digital space, Alex Cuba has had four iTunes Singles of the Week (Canada, U.S., Japan, Netherlands), has charted on various iTunes charts in Canada, the U.S. and Japan, has built an impressive online community and has had major content features on Myspace, Yahoo!, AOL and other portals.

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Album Review

Alex Cuba: Ruido en El Sistema

Read "Ruido en El Sistema" reviewed by Ernest Barteldes


This Cuban-born singer/songwriter and accomplished guitarist has been slowly establishing himself as a crossover Latin alternative artist able to tackle various genres without compromising his signature sound. Cuba borrows from his native rumba and adapts it into a more contemporary format, evoking funk, neo-soul and blues with a rich melodic structure.On his fourth release (which translates as “Static in the System"), he borrows even more from the sounds of his native island, adding horns and percussion to some ...

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Live Review

Alex Cuba Band at The Highline Ballroom

Read "Alex Cuba Band at The Highline Ballroom" reviewed by Ernest Barteldes


Alex Cuba Band Highline Ballroom New York City Oct. 10, 2009

On his first proper US tour following the release of Agua Del Pozo (Caracol, 2007), Alex Cuba took the stage backed by a strong band rounded out by Robert Johns(electric bass) and Robert diPietro (drums), playing an extended set that showcased his intriguing mix of Afro-Cuban beats with jazz, funk and rock.

Cuba has strong stage charisma and great guitar ...

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Recording

Alex Cuba Releases "Agua Del Pozo"

Alex Cuba Releases "Agua Del Pozo"

Source: rock paper scissors, inc.

The New Face of Cuban Soul Rock from the North: Alex Cuba's Agua del Pozo Breaks the Language Barrier

Mangoes sprouting in the tundra. The new face of Latin soul thriving in a hamlet a day's drive north of Vancouver, British Columbia. This is the story of guitarist, singer, and songwriter Alex Cuba, who came into his musical own in the Canadian north and whose Cuban soul rock power trio flies in the face of conventional notions of what Latin ...

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Recordings: As Leader | As Sideperson

Are You

ITM Records
2012

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Ruido en El Sistema

Caracol Records
2012

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