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Reminiscing Cuba
Perhaps Alexis Puentes redefined himself as Alex Cuba to quickly explain his music to the British Columbia audiences he began facing a decade ago. He moved from Artesima, outside of Havana, Cuba, for love. Currently he lives in Smithers, British Columbia, quite north of Vancouver, with his wife and three children. Given the frigid disposition his warm blood must feel in that near-arctic air, temperature hasn’t stopped him from snatching two Juno Awards for World Music Album of the Year, one in 2006 for Humo De Tobaco, another in 2008 for the subject of this column, Agua Del Pozo.
Alex Cuba
Agua del Pozo
(Caracol; US: 22 Sep 2009)
Cuba’s determination is commendable. He was courted by major labels, given his integrity on the touring circuit and growing fanbase. After a falling out with a label years back, he knew the indie route would work. Winning two Juno awards—the American equivalent is the Grammy—on your own label certainly merits attention. But you wouldn’t need to know that if you just heard the music. Agua Del Pozo is an exceptional album. Cuba looks like a sparky Maxwell circa 2001.
He’s got that lover’s rock feel, though his R&B isn’t as sultry. His funk is funkier. Critics have compared him to
. I hear that in temperament, not musicality. Sure, he’s got jazzy soul down. What really invites you inside is the warm bass, the beats—that voice.
What I hear is
in “Si Pere No.” I know, comparisons are lame, though they offer an understanding to a reader who may not be a listener yet. And I don’t think most male singers would mind being compared to Withers or say,
. Cuba lets his voice linger in that manner. You want to hang onto it. “Si Pero No,” or “Yes and No,” contemplates the eternal masculine problem: she is no good for me, but it could be better than what I have.
Cuba does not gripe or groan about his lusting. He sings about it, beautifully at that, and he gets you to dance while meditating on the subject. Dance might be too strong a word. Sway. He sways a lot.
But he dances, too. “Agua Del Pozo” is an ode to dancing like you’re pumping water from a well. Something like that. Not a great image, per se, but the song’s got juice.
He doesn’t exactly go off the deep end lyrically. He croons about being turned into a vampire by a woman he desires. He’s also a butterfly wanting to love her. This her gets a lot of time in his music. Women deserve the praise, which is why love songs were invented. Cuba makes the expectable unexpected through timbre, syllables, whispers. You can never base a form of music on that alone, though. Think of it more as an amalgamation: drums, bass, rhythm, percussion, wicked guitar, undeniably soulful vocals. His package is simplicity, and he wears it well.
09/22/09 >> go there
