ALEX CUBA plays Koerner Hall on Friday (November 9). See listing. Rating: NNNN
Alex Cuba hails from Cuba, lives in Canada and cites Michael Jackson, the Beatles and Miles Davis as musical influences, so it’s not too surprising that his latest album is a perfect blend of sly Latin funk, Afropop, silky smooth soul and American rock and roll.
The mostly Spanish-language album, whose title means “static in the system,” captivates throughout. Cuba experiments with perky pop on Nadie Como Tu, which features accompanying vocals by Nelly Furtado. On Creo, he turns a simple folk ditty into a full-out rock number, incorporating radio static and a powerful guitar solo by the end.
Many of us won’t understand what he’s crooning, whispering or screaming, but every element of the Juno Award-winning multi-instrumentalist’s music – the lush horn sections, fingerpicked guitar, catchy choruses – translates into an experience we can all get behind.
Top track: Creo
