Timba de Primera Toma EC

UPDATE!! - This album has been reissued on April 3, 2008. It is now identified by the initials 'E.C.' for 'Edición Coleccinista' (Collectors Edition) after the title. It features new audio processing with much improved low-frequency response and updated liner notes. This live album captures El Pikete's first and original line up, with Michel Clavo from Havana Power Band on lead vocals and José "Pepito" on piano. A live timba collector's must have.

"Timba de Primera Toma" means that each song on this record was recorded live -one take with no overdubs. One take was all EL PIKETE needed to throw down their intense grooves and rhymes. While everyone is anxious to hear their first studio album, we wanted to go ahead and capture that raw feeling that only a live concert can provide. A recording that would allow you to experience their sophisticated sound. Special thanks to all the hard-core, West Coast timberos that helped our grass-roots efforts to make EL PIKETE happen in our town. Lo que queremos es TIMBA y gracias al PIKETE la disfrutamos. Total time: 48:27 (mm:ss). Album includes cover art and liner notes.

Under the direction of percussionist and arranger Alexis “Mipa” Cuesta, El Pikete is a Miami based group composed of members from the top acts in Cuba like Paulito F.G., Manolín, Team Cuba, Dan Den, Sello L.A. and Colé Colé. In this 2007 live recording from California, El Pikete demonstrates that dance music can contain sophisticated musical concepts and still maintain a classic Caribbean sound. In other words, the best Cuban timba has to offer.

The formation of ‘El Pikete’ arises from the desire to expand the exposure of Cuban timba music in the United States and world-wide. The name is considered a ‘cubanismo’, and it means ‘a union’. It is based on the nuances of great Cuban groups like Los Van Van, Manolito y su Trabuco and Pupy y los que Son Son. The group captures the charanga type sound by including the violin as part of its sound.