Carlos Varela

Good luck trying to find this one; it's on a tiny Spanish label, but it's worth the trouble. At 28 years of age, Varela is an independent voice; his lyrics register as daring in the political context of Cuba. He's the poet of young Havana in the early '90s. This album, recorded in Spain with Spanish sidemen, is an impressive debut by someone who will likely be a major artist in years to come. ~ Ned Sublette, Rovi