Ska Cubano - ¡Ay Caramba! (2006)

¡Ay Caramba! is the second album by London based group Ska Cubano. The band was brought together by manager Peter A. Scott, who "decided to create an alternative history in which Cuban ska had emerged". He travelled to Santiago de Cuba with Top Cats singer Natty Bo (Nathan Lerner) in 2001 and there they rehearsed and recorded the Ska Cubano album over a two-year period mainly with local musicians including singer Beny Billy (Juan Manuel Villy Carbonell).

In late 2004, Scott and Bo decided to go for a less Cuban sound and formed a line-up in London mainly using UK-based Cuban and other Caribbean musicians (three of whom were/are also members of Top Cats, Natty Bo's traditional ska band ). After some experimentation, with Natty Bo as leader and vocalist, the permanent core of Ska Cubano became :

Natty Bo (Nathan Lerner) - vocals

Carlos Pena - vocals and minor percussion

Beny Billy (Juan Manuel Villy Carbonell) - vocals

Miss Megoo ( Megumi Mesaku ) - alto and baritone saxophones

Trevor Edwards - trombone

Kico Cowan - tenor saxophone and flute

Rey Crespo (musical director) - double bass and marimbula

Jesús Cutiño - tres (Cuban 3x2-strung guitar)

Ernesto Estruch - piano, organ and violin

Oresta Noda - congas and pailas

Dr. Sleepy (Reuben White) - drumkit

Tan Tan ( Eddie Thornton ) - trumpet

Jay Phelps - trumpet

In 2006 Carlos Pena gradually took over as co-lead singer, although Beny continued to record and occasionally tour with Ska Cubano. Upon it's release ¡Ay Caramba!, was nominated for a BBC World Music Award in the "Culture Crossing" category. The album was described as "imaginatively crafted, brimming with melody, wit and a joyous fusion of rhythms, this album’s about as much fun as you can have with your clothes on". A statement which I wholeheartedly would second. Enjoy!

Leave it to a British band to combine Latin rhythms, Jamaican mento, and ska beats, all dressed in retro zoot suits. The group is fronted by Cuban vocalist Ben Billy and London-born singer Nathan "Natty Bo" Lerner, with Jamaican trumpeter Eddie "Tan Tan" Thornton, Japanese saxophonist Megumi Mesaku, and Havana bassist Ray Crespo. For the most part, the music is a surprising melange of Beny More-type vocals and upbeat ska rhythms made famous by The Skatalites, as evidenced by the snappy instrumental "Jezebel," the hypnotizing mid-tempo "Soy Campesino," and the humorous title track. Also included are the Colombian cumbia "Tungarara" and Miguelito Valdes' "Babalu." Before purists attach the gimmick flag to the ensemble's second CD, they should please note that a few of the creators of ska were born in Cuba, and since African descendants are the prime creators of Caribbean music, this effort represents a reunion of kindred rhythms.
-- amazon.com

"Altogether a triumph: if Ska Cubano didnít exist, it would be imperative to invent them, and these public-spirited musicians have saved the world the trouble. Sincere gratitude is in order."
-- SongLines

"A triumph of musical imagination!"
-- London Independent

Tracklist:

01 Istanbul (Not Constantinople) 02:34
02 Tabu 03:32
03 Oye Compay Juan 03:35
04 No Me Desesperes 03:34
05 Tungarara 03:50
06 Big Bamboo 02:59
07 Cachita 04:31
08 Soy Campesino 03:42
09 Jezebel 03:20
10 Marianao 03:52
11 !Ay Caramba! 03:02
12 Chispa Tren 03:22
13 Bobine 04:57
14 Cumbia En Do Menor 04:41
15 Natty No Dead 02:36
16 Jezebel (Instrumental) 03:18
17 La Boquilla 03:14

Download Link - Mediafire (.mp3)
Download Link - Mediafire (.flac)