Bill Laswell's “Imaginary Cuba: Deconstructing Havana" (1999), a sound–picture of modern–day Havana, Cuba, is culled from sessions with musicians such as singer Raul Planas, pianist Frank Emilio, Clave y Guaguanco, and percussionist Tata Guines, recorded in the streets and studios of Havana and rebuilt in typical Laswell fashion. It flows like one long journey, oscillating between echoing and translucent voices, drums and percussion and guitars to a more dub based foundation. There is a definite dreamlike quality throughout the album. The rhythmic stew that Laswell cooks up is rich, thick, and spicy.
Highly recommended.”
Bill Laswell
Imaginary Cuba:
Deconstructing Havana
1999
CD / 1999 / 320Kbps
Tracklist:
1 Habana Transmission #1: Avisale A La Vecina Dub
2 Para Clave Y Guaguanco
3 Loungin With F.E.
4 Chacón And Daniel
5 DejalaEn La Puntica
6 Habana Transmission #2: Cuban Evolution
7 Los Ibellis
8 Habana Transmission #3: Shango Sound Scan
9 Hombre Lobo, No! Hombre Nuevo, Si
10 Guerillero Heroico (El Che Vive!)
11 Shango
12 Pompa At The House
13 Madre No Me Pida In Dub
14 Chaos In The Heat (Last Transmission)
15 Drafting Shadows / Leaving Habana (Peaceful)
Studio, Home and Street Recordings in Havana, Cuba.
Bill Laswell: bass, beats, mix translations
Transformation of recorded performances by
Los Ibellis, Clave Y Guaguanco, Tata Guines, Frank Emilio, Raul Planas, Guillermo Pompa, Septeto Nacional and others.
Bill Laswell / Imaginary Cuba / 1999