Viva Cuba - Somos Hermanos [Sunday, August 19, 2007]
 Op vrijdag 20 februari vond in een uitverkocht theater de Rode Hoed te Amsterdam de presentatie plaats van het fotoboek van Eric van den Elsen "Viva Cuba" en de nieuwe CD van Septeto Trio Los Dos "Somos Hermanos". Samen met vrienden, familie en vele trouwe fans hebben wij dit moment zeer intens beleefd. Uit een kleine kijk in de voorgeschiedenis blijkt waarom....
Somos Hermanos
The idea originates in the patio of El Quitrin the old colonial cabbies house. We discuss Cuba and dance to the sounds of Septeto Santiaguero on a Friday night and decide to unfold our dream emboldened by rum. (It is so many years ago that we first set foot in the centre of Santiago and discovered true friendship with these artists from the capital of Son).
Having endured countless practice sessions we seek to earn the title of sonero: one step at a time. Our music is guided by the rich tradition of the Son as we experience it. “Wouldn’t it be great if we could perform and record our own music with our Cuban friends from Santiago?” We envision a musical encounter during which they decorate our songs with their improvisations and Cuban soul. Songs that originated out of an immense appreciation of the friendship we have encountered here over the years.
(November 2005)
Press Record!
A random squall offers little consolation in the sizzling heat of Santiago, but soon the humidity beats away any possible comfort.
A microphone basks in the shadow-cast patio of a colonial home, patiently awaiting a number of unforgettable sessions. We have discussed the idea with 15 musicians, all of whom reacted with an enthusiasm one can only find in Santiago. We know each other well as we have been connected through music from the minute we met. Some of them are well known artists who have travelled the world, others are yet to leave the city.
Each is a truly gifted musician that draws upon his or her own generation and traditions.
The first recordings are a bit timid but it does not take long for true inspiration to arrive, only inches from the microphone. The musicians respect one another and they seek out a spot that best suits their talent.
Press record!
We could have never imagined the groove and passion that followed. The dream comes to life during a legendary session, undoubtedly the best we ever witnessed in Santiago.
Faces Covered
4:55 pm. We are back in Santiago de Cuba after months of remixing and production in the Netherlands. Once again we are seated in the patio where the legendary recording sessions took place. No microphone in sight this time, it has been replaced by chairs, a dusty Chinese stereo and enough rum and Bucanero to tune into the right mood.
Cuban punctuality does not fail as usual and all the guests are present at exactly 5:00 pm to hear the final version of their musical efforts. Sones de Oriente, Septeto Santiaguero, Guitarras y Trovadores, Morena Son, the Director of the Casa de la Trova, the Chacón y los Dinamicos rapper, even the rumbero Tatín, everyone is here. Having listened to the songs hundreds of times during mixing, we are certain that the final result is excellent. Our Cuban friends however have no idea of what is about to hit them and are noticeably more tense. We sense an atmosphere best described as a public audition, during which each musicians’ contribution will be carefully weighed against the other and their fate determined.
We kick off the meeting with rum, thanks and appreciation and stick to the inevitable Cuban tradition of the long opening statement. Then as the CD roars out of the old stereo the patio is buried under a cool, absolute silence for 12 songs. Some listen with their eyes closed whilst others cover their face with their hands. The Morena Son girls huddle in their own little circle. When the last song is over, brief glances are exchanged. A huge smile unfolds across all the faces in the room and an applause rises steadily. “Abrazote Acere, somos hermanos, que bolá!”
(February 2007)
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