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Preview
Asere are a group of young musicians who came together to play traditional Cuban music such as the son, guaracha and bolero. Their career took off when, on visiting Cuba in 1996, the Colombian singer Totó la Momposina came across this new band and was immediately struck by their energy, rich songwriting and powerful delivery. She named them "Asere", a greeting in the language of Afro-Cuban sect Abakua and now used as a colloquial word in Cuba roughly translated as "mate or friend".
Soon after Asere recorded their debut album "Cuban Soul" live in an old radio theatre in Habana. The production team set out to capture the sweetness of their soulful son and the power of their more uptempo rhythms which are more akin in style to the tough salsa of the 70s.
are many groups made up of the older statesmen of son now performing in Europe. Asere was inspired by these players and the singers and songwriters who came before them; legendary figures such as Miguel Matamoros, Nico Saquito and Ignacio Pineiro. In Asere we find the son tradition dressed up in baseball caps and trainers, an expression of young urban Cuba, these musicans seeking to develop the music through their inventive songwriting and arrangements, building a fresh sound for a new generation.
Following the release of "Cuban Soul" on Label Bleu-Indigo and a successful debut tours in 1998 and 1999, Asere return to Europe for shows during summer 2000 and the release of a new album which is a bold confirmation of their creatvity and talent.
"One of the most stimulating new Cuban bands......from first hearing had me gripped"
Jan Fairley. Folk Roots
"Cuban Soul breathes fresh vigour into the traditional rhythms of son and bolero"
Nigel Williamson. The Times
"Incredibly vibrant music.....earthy rhythms.....they got heart and they definitely got soul"
Kevin le Gendre. Echoes
"An element of surprise and a sense of adventure, their performance has an unpredictability which makes them uniquely engaging and different from other Cuban bands I have seen"
Charlie Gillett. GLR
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