Musica del Alma

Back in Form…

…with some Cuban Funk Fire! Sorry for the delay, but here we go again with a bangin LP on the Areito label. FA-5 have many things to offer on this LP: dirty takes on American Funk and Disco songs, heavy b-boy breaks (you’ll have to track the album down to see what I mean), and some straight-up tight musicianship. Check out their song “Salga y Baile”, which is a loose rendition of Kool and the Gang’s nasty funk classic, “Jungle Boogie” (well at least those horns sound like it to me!).

“Paso Sin Mas” is a quintessential Cuban Funk song but features some heavy guitar and a killer keyboard a la Ricardo Marrero. Lastly, there’s a break-heavy version of The Commodores’ “Brick House” on here that I figured I’d pass on. Cheesy? YES. Bangin? HELLS YES.

You have to appreciate the production quality on this joint, as with many Cuban LPs on the Areito label that emerged from groups fostered at Fidel Castro’s music schools in Havana and elsewhere. The state funding coming into these schools gave many musicians the chance to explore and experiment with Afro Cuban, Funk, Jazz, and Caribbean sounds in a groundbreaking way that still does not get the full attention it deserves. Check out these compilations of Cuban Music for more (if you haven’t already).

FA-5: “Salga y Baile”, “Pasos Sin Mas”, & “Casa Del Ladrillo (Brick House)”
From the S/T LP (Areito, 1976)