Grammy winner Alex Cuba coming to Barrie this month

Musician performing June 24 at Meridian Place

Alex Cuba is scheduled to perform in Barrie on June 24 at the Meridian Place Amphitheatre.Photo supplied by Bad Parade

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BAD PARADE
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“Creating in a way that truly felt limitless, album No. 9 is another collection of songs for the soul from my musical universe. It was a fun learning experience for me — exploring how to mix my organic sound with electronic elements, slapping my bass on the title track, and reimagining the sound of a legendary Cuban song. Exploring music in a new way was simply fun.” — Alex Cuba

From his newly built recording studio in Smithers, B.C., Cuba’s ninth studio album, El Swing Que Yo Tengo (The Swing That I Have), delivers an astonishingly creative and remarkably fresh project that sees the artist defy genre more than ever before.

Taking his incessant creativity steps further, the singer, songwriter, musician, and producer demonstrates his unending ability to deliver music that moves sonically and stylistically between genre, era, borders, and preconceptions. For the first time, Cuba incorporates electronic elements that amplify his sound and commercial appeal, while maintaining the organic melody and identity his audience is accustomed to. A musical exhibit of search and experimentation, daring and confidence, Cuba once again turns any singular idea of his music on its head to deliver an astounding new project nearly two years to the day he released his Grammy-winning album, Mendó.

With four released singles that shift between the colourfully suave electronic cha-cha-cha on Son Para Tu Boca, to the musical extravagance of La Bestia, Cuba’s releases from his latest project also include the nourishing, romantic warmth of Quiero Quedarme. On Agüita de Coco, Cuba journeys to his Caribbean roots that embrace Mother Africa in the vibrant, sole duet on the album featuring Rwandan artist Butera Knowless.

The latest album from a musician with a career based in genre non-conformity, the title track of El Swing Que Yo Tengo bursts the album open with a heavy dose of both funk and rock, featuring the furious growl of Cuba’s commanding bass infused with the delicate Latin flare of the congas. Confident and dominating, the song is a high-wattage directive for self-belief.

Followed by the rhythmically upbeat hymn to reconciliation, No Puede Ser, the musician experiments using elements of synth along with drum programming, while staying true to his melody-driven sound. Cuba seamlessly tackles the blues in his fabulously daring, beautiful cover of legendary Cuban song Pedacito de Mi Vida, adding a southern swamp-styled groove alongside his controlled, gentle, and harmonious vocals.

In a moment filled with monotony and repetition comes El Swing Que Yo Tengo — a refreshing collection of songs from a decorated artist refusing to rest on his laurels. Packed with invigorating originality, Cuba’s latest album invites his global fan base on his self-taught, explorative journey with him, delivering music that continues to expand his musical universe. In his ninth studio album, Alex Cuba offers El Swing Que Yo Tengo, his distinctive and remarkable swing, from an artist as uniquely individual as a fingerprint.