Timba Británica gets London’s Jazz Café jumping
Kevin Le Gendre
Tuesday, September 3, 2024
Latin-jazz summit hits Camden’s Jazz Café’s stage with a percussion heavy celebration of Timba rhythms and cross-cultural collaboration
As yet another Roman epic hits small and big screen, there is an alternative arena tonight that has brass and congas instead of swords and sandals. While emperors salute those about to die Timba Britannica gives salsa for whoever wants to dance.
The 15-piece band barely has room for manoeuvre on stage and the sight of rhythm section, piano, keyboards, horns, strings, flute and three singers creates a small army that mirrors the sight of the swaying gladiator-rumberos packed tight on the floor.
The band is the brainchild of drummer-leader Tristan Butler, whose dual allegiance to Cuba and England is symbolized by the respective flag of each country stitched to each shoulder of his jacket. In any case the cultural duality also lies in the blend of players from both countries, which can be seen as a desire for authenticity in the performance of timba, an intoxicating blend of son, salsa, rock and funk, yet it is also a sign of the global influence of rhythms carried from Africa to the rest of the world.
Talking of heritage, the music tonight is a celebration of Cuban legends Los Van Van, whose blend of ‘roots’ and electric sounds, above all synths and guitars, fuel injected Latin music in the 70s.The guest appearance of the band’s revered singer Mayito Rivera gives the 90 minute set a real edge as his fantastically rich tone and intricate phrasing whip the crowd into a frenzy, above all on a string of anthems that includes ‘Que Sorpresa’ De La Habana A Matanzas’,’Soy Todo’, ‘Temba Tumba Timba’ and ‘Somos Cubanos’, fine songs in which whirling polyrhythms are brilliantly counterweighted by the bass-heavy motifs of aggressively blown trombones.
All in all, a set for listening and dancing then that is entirely suited to a standing venue such as The Jazz Café. Those with long memories will know that the north London haunt hosted the likes of Eddie Palmieri, Ray Barretto and !Cubanismo! a few decades ago. Timba Britannica is an entirely worthy addition to that azucar list.
