Between the French beat maker Al Quetz and the cuban MC El Tipo Este there’s thousands of kilometers. The desire to connect was so strong that no force could have prevented this fortunate encounter: we turn our focus to La Revancha de La Manana. El Tipo is a pioneer of Hip Hop in Cuba. Founder of Obsesión group, he shared stages with The Roots, Common, Kanye West or integrating Gilles Peterson’s band for the Havana Cultura Tour. Al Quetz (originally known as Quetzal) is another figure. An instrumental designer who cuts, loop, programs, composes. A name marked by five albums and collaborations with Onra, Guts, La Fine Equipe or Milk Coffee and Sugar.

Together they dived on all the musical currents of the island of Cuba, absorbing Afro-Cuban sounds, adding the freedom of jazz, the grooves of hip hop, the smoking rhythms and heavy bass lines from the Jamaican neighbors. La Revancha de La Manana has the flavor of a ‘70s recording. Trombone, piano, flute, guitar and bass giving to the beats, and the samples choices, the hot, humid waves from La Havana. A total immersion, result of living together for one year, of thinking music and creation continuously, of wandering in the city to breathe the air of its creativity.

Released last month by Pura Vida Sounds, a sub-label of Heavenly Sweetness, the album is a warm wind of groovy hip hop - both vocally and beat-wise, channeling Afro-Cuban vibes, a jazz ethic and that boom bap in plentiful quantities. Another vinyl coming our way.