Ska Cubano

In the early 20th Century, a bridge was formed between Cuba and Jamaica. It's a bridge made not of concrete and asphalt but of rhythm and melody. And now the audio architects in Ska Cubano are giving it a 21st-century renovation. The swingin', high-styled outfit is fronted by British ska daddy Natty Bo and Cuban vocalist Beny Billy — a collaboration with intentionally mixed results. As its name suggests, Ska Cubano is a blend of ska beats, Spanish and English vocals, and loads of Latin-styled instrumentation, from front-and-center saxophone leads to acoustic guitar strumming and all manner of swanky percussion. The songs are thoroughly retro, though it's not surprising, considering most of 'em were written more than half a century ago. It's like a brief history lesson of Latin American and Jamaican music, from covers of the Columbian dancehall tune "Soy Campesino" to the vaguely disguised dick joke "Big Bamboo" to the playful "Tungarara," a children's song about frogs and toads. Again, it's an old bridge Bo and Billy have chosen to cross. But they're not trying to rebuild it; they're just here to touch it up a bit.

Related Content

• Aquaphonics at Native Florida Tap Room and Music Hall on April 13
  April 12, 2012
• The Toasters at Culture Room, October 21
  October 20, 2011
• Reggae Great Buju Banton Is Locked Up on Drug Charges. Was He Entrapped?
  February 9, 2012
• Shit Foodies Say (Video)
  January 27, 2012
• Food and Drug Pairings: Hiding Contraband Edition
  November 11, 2011

More About

• Natty Bo
• Beny Billy
• Ska

Like this Story?

Sign up for the Music Newsletter: Keep your thumb on the local music scene with music features, additional online music listings and show picks. We'll also send special ticket offers and music promotions available only to our Music Newsletter subscribers.

Privacy Policy Cancel Continue