Gilles Peterson Presents: Havana Cultura Anthology

Gilles Peterson first started his Havana Cultura project back in 2008. Since then, the project has garnered several albums worth of material and uncovered the star talents of Danay Suarez and Daymé Arocena. This anthology looks back at the project's legacy, and its presentation of both contemporary Cuba's musical output and wider influence on club culture.

Opening track ‘Soy Cubano’ is characteristic of the global network that Havana Cultura has established. The meditative opener is produced by Netherlands-based Kerkstra and features vocal recitations from Sexto Sentido and a spoken-word guide to Old Havana from underground hip-hop artist Etián Brebaje Man. It really sets the mood for a 23-track compilation that is full of evocative musical exchanges. ‘Calle F’ is a standout moment. Recorded as part of dubstep pioneer Mala's first LP for Brownswood, it builds upon an opening piano groove with devilishly funky drums and the signature low-end that defined his early work with Digital Mystikz. Other tracks that add spice include Daisuke Tanabe and Yosi Horikawa's electronic exploration of yambú drum rhythms and ‘Check the Rhime’: a playful re-working of the Tribe Called Quest hip-hop classic with Havana MC Silvito el Libre.

Some of the tracks from the first ‘New Cuba Sound’ session also feature and these acoustic renditions – such as ‘Arroz Con Pollo’ and ‘Ipacuba’ – are interwoven with the newer, electronic interpretations. This anthology, then, acts as a well thought-out and lovingly put together document of a musically rich transatlantic collaboration.