Mamborama News

August 30. In case you missed the item on the home page, I've started a web log, AKA a "blog." This will allow all sorts of self-indulgent nonsense, but more importantly, it lets me update the site from any computer in the world, so when I'm out of the country I can still post my blatherings. Take a look at the Mambo Blogorama, and feel free to post your comments!

August 28. The CD is now officially released in the USA, Germany, Spain and Japan. Gracias a mis amigos at Cuba Chévere in Berlin for making this happen. They will be able to get the album out in places I couldn't have possibly done as an independent. The CD was released earier this summer in Italy and Switzerland by Yo Mambo, and in the Netherlands by our friends at Walboomers Music. It will be released in France by Walboomers later this year.

August 12. Two weeks and counting until Entre La Habana Y El Yuma is released on August 26. Mamborama.com is offering a "virtual listening post" of the new CD here.

August 1. That long-winded report on making the new album is now online here. Also, I've put a collection of miscellaneous Cuba photos on the site. They're here. In other news, Mamborama's Es solo musica was selected for inclusion on the recently released Rough Guide To Latin Jazz.

July 18. Entre La Habana Y El Yuma is slated for release on August 26 in the US, UK, Spain, Germany and Japan by Cuba Chévere Records! It is out now in Italy and doing great there. La Gata Loca is on almost all the club DJs top ten lists, and my sources in Italy tell me that people are going crazy for it. The CD is also available in the Netherlands, courtesy of Walboomers Music. In the coming weeks, you will be able to audition the CD on this site, so check back. There will also be another of my long-winded reports about the making of the album. Stay tuned...

April 25. Gadzooks, I tend to ignore this page, don't I? Hey, I've been busy, give me a break! The album is DONE! What a long, strange and wonderful trip it was, too. Entre La Habana Y El Yuma contains eleven new Mamborama tunes, recorded, like the title says, between Cuba and LA, with three different configurations of monster Cuban músicos. I am lucky and privileged to be able to work with such amazing players. AND, I have just lined up a deal with a great company that will get this record out into the world far more than I ever could on my own. I'll be announcing details of that shortly, along with the estimated release date, which is going to be around mid-summer. I can't wait to turn this baby loose—I'm extremely proud of it!

January 10. I've been working nonstop recording in LA with Jimmy Branly, Luis Eric, Rigoberto Lopez and Coky Garcia. These guys have played with the likes of Issac Delgado, NG La Banda, Gonzalo Rubalcaba, Adalberto Alvarez, Paulito FG, and now they have to put up with me. We're also doing some tracks for my next solo CD, Dos Vidas. Next week I'm off to Cannes, France to wheel and deal at the Midem music biz conference. Mamborama intends to take over Europe when the new CD is released!

December 21. Back from a month in La Habana, where I recorded six tunes for the new album. ALL my dreams came true on this trip! I was privileged to record with musicians from Manolito Y Su Trabuco and Klimax, including Giraldo Piloto. Sixto "El Indio" Llorente, my favorite cantante, sings lead on three songs, and we wrote two of them together. Gracias, Indio! There are solos by "Pupy" Pedroso, Manolito Simonet, David Bencomo (flute, Trabuco) and Julio Padrón. The rest of the album is being recorded in the states with Jimmy Branly, Luis Eric and the usual suspects. Because of this dual country recording, the album is titled: Entre La Habana Y El Yuma (between Havana and the States. "El Yuma" is Cuban slang for the US).

November 22. Wow, I haven't updated this page in TOO long. It's not that there hasn't been any news, it's just that I've been way too busy. The new Mamborama album is being recorded now, and I hope it turns out the way I plan. There should be a few surprises on it for sure. I'll be in Havana through most of December, so I'll have some updates on that when I get back.

June 2. Just received sample copies of the Caliente Festival 2002 compilation CD from Warner Music Switzerland. Mamborama's Cuba Te Llama follows Manolito Y Su Trabuco's Calienticamente Caliente. We're running with the big dogs here! The coolest thing is that there is a bonus CD which was recorded live at last year's Havana Caliente Festival with Los Van Van, Issac Delgado, NG La Banda and more.

May 21. Preproduction for the next Mamborama CD is well underway. Several of the new tunes have been test-driven before live audiences, and we expect to start recording this summer. Got some surprises planned for this one—stay tuned.

May 11. Back from Havana. Full report available here.

April 26. Leaving for two glorious weeks in La Habana. See you when I get back—unless I decide to stay...

March 21. The Ala Bianca Group in Italy has licensed two Mamborama songs for their upcoming La Noche Cubana, Vol. 16 compilation CD.

A big hello to Nelly Nehal who wrote us from Nairobi, Kenya:

hi bill, i'm from nairobi,kenya and its on the eastern side of africa, i was born here and the music is very similar to that of latin america.
i'm a 16 year old girl with beautiful eyes. i learned about latin american music when i was 6 years old since then its always been on the top of my music play list.
you should come and visit kenya one day, i might even take you around. the capital of kenya is nairobi and thats where i live,my father
and i are BIG fans of mamborama.