The first release on a new label: Pura Vida Sounds founded by Guts, in conjunction with Heavenly Sweetness. El Tipo Este is a pioneer of Hip Hop in Cuba and Al Quetz, a leading French beat maker.

This canny combo have drawn from the local musical currents, absorbing Afro-Cuban sounds, adding the freedom of jazz, the metronome of hip hop and a healthy bass shake of neighbouring island Jamaica.

El Tipo is a pioneer of Hip Hop in Cuba. Founder of Obsesión group, he shared stages with The Roots, Common, Kanye West or integrating Gilles Peterson’s band for the Havana Cultura Tour. Al Quetz (originally known as Quetzal) is another figure, part of the french beatmaking history. An instrumental designer who cuts, loop, programs, composes and produces. A name marked by five albums and collaborations with Onra, Guts, La Fine Equipe or Milk Coffee and Sugar.

Together they dived on all the musical currents of the island of Cuba, absorbing Afro-Cuban sounds, adding the freedom of jazz, the grooves of hip hop, the smoking rhythms and heavy bass lines from the Jamaican neighbors. La Revancha de La Manana has the flavor of a ‘70s recording. Trombone, piano, flute, guitar and bass giving to the beats, and the samples choices, the hot, humid waves from La Havana. A total immersion, result of living together for one year, of thinking music and creation continuously, of wandering in the city to breathe the air of its creativity.

Released last month by Pura Vida Sounds, a sub-label of Heavenly Sweetness, the album is a warm wind of groovy hip hop - both vocally and beat-wise, channeling Afro-Cuban vibes, a jazz ethic and that boom bap in plentiful quantities. Another vinyl coming our way.

LISTEN HERE

released October 26, 2018

Produced by Al Quetz
Lyrics by El Tipo Este
Featuring Florian Pelissier, Blanka, Guts, Dela, Niko Coyez, Old Jay, Tali, Magia, Onra, O. Caron and Amoz
Mixed by Al Quetz and Blanka
Master by Blanka
Photo by Jenny Matthews (Nicaragua 1984)
Artwork by Al Quetz & Gabo Van Robertsen