This CD originated almost by accident. While anthropologist Bartolomé Duijsens was working in the east of Cuba, documenting the festival of San Lazaro, he was confronted with a most vivid local music scene, and highly talented local musicians—who had never before had the opportunity to record an album. So, with the help of Paco Miranda, director of local radio station El Grito de Baire, he set out to produce this anthology.

From son to reggaeton, charanga, rap and rock, the six bands featured here offer an astonishing and exciting overview of the music of the town of Contramaestre, in the Cuban countryside.

Los Astros is a modern son band. They began in 1979 as a group of friends playing dance music, primarily Cuban, but also other Caribbean genres: "To delight all the dancers, who like all people from Contramaestre have such different backgrounds - Spanish, Haitian, Jamaican and Chinese," as band leader Roberto Tejadilla states. In 1989 they became the first professional band in Contramaestre, and they have toured extensively in Cuba, participating in many radio and television shows.

La Charanga Santiaguera is a son orchestra playing charanga, in which the violins and the flute feature prominently. Founded in 1999 they quickly became the region's best charanga orchestra. They went professional in 2002, and in 2004 were incorporated into the category of excellence by the Ministry of Culture. Their repertory consists of traditional Cuban music—danzones, chachacha, etc.—and also of popular dance music.

Orbita Uno is the local rock band, founded in 1978 by some young rebels, and still going strong. In 2004 they entered the category of excellence as a reward for their long-standing career and the massive following they enjoy in the Contramaestre region. They play an eclectic mix of styles ranging from Spanish pop and English rock, to reggae, and the whole spectrum of Latin styles, catering to all tastes and audiences.

Estilo Propio has not yet gained the professional status, but with their energetic, rough-hewn sones they captivate every audience. Their track on this CD was recorded live for the New Year's program of El Grito de Baire.

In Contramaestre the older generation in general sticks to the tradition of son-derived musical styles, but the current hype with the young is reggaeton, a fusion of rap, hiphop and raggamuffin. To do justice to the local musical panorama, we also recorded the best two local reggaeton bands. The members of Aché Cubano, although still very young, are already veterans in the regional rap scene and have earned a nationwide reputation.

Rueda Dentada started in 1997. They define their style as hiphop or rap with a social and critical character, and above all as 'negrista'. As band-leader Rolandito states: "Rueda Dentada is fiesta with a message: to be Afro-Cuban is our greatest pride." They paricipated in many musical events of which the most important was the 8th edition of the Festival Hip-Hop Habana (2003).

Tracklist

1. La Charanga Santiaguera - Quitame la Vista
2. Los Astros - Bella Venezolana
3. Aché Cubano - Gozando
4. Orbita Uno - Vuelve a Mi
5. Los Astros - El Titingó
6. Los Astros - El Meneito
7. Los Astros - Negro Cimarrón
8. La Charanga Santiaguera - Lo que le Gusta a la  Niña
9. Orbita Uno - Un Besito Chiquitico
10. Aché Cubano - Chica
11. Los Astros - Mi Changó
12. Los Astros - Sueños Locos
13. Los Astros - Compay, Tu Eres el Tiempo
14. Estilo Propio - Nuestro Rico Son
15. Rueda Dentada - Homenaje a Ché

It's mind-boggling: you go to Cuba, travel off-the-beaten-track and you find an astonishingly vital and totally professional world of music! As this amazing disc proves, this is no myth! Cuba is renowned for its musical richness, vibrancy and diversity, but the music of the small town of Contramaestre, in the east of the island, will blow your mind. There under the palms among the dust and sun, a world of music is created daily - from son to reggaeton - music that addresses everything from sexual pleasure to the politics of everyday life to the history of the island and the legacy of Che. It is a thrilling disc and a beautiful project!"

Jan Fairley, music critic and ethnomusicologist, 2006

Video: Aché Cubano - Chica (Contramaestre, Cuba)