Cuban musical revolutionary Alex Cuba releases his self-titled third album October 27th, unveiling the most extraordinary chapter yet in his transformation of Cuban music.

Having begun by stripping the music of its academic complexity to retrieve its soul, the two-time Juno-winner is now expressing the American styles that influenced him as a teen, breaking down barriers between genres like never before and creating a Cuban rock soul sound that is at once urban and retro.

The thirteen tracks are rich with references to classic funk, pop, rock, and soul, and Alex’s voice, now matured to perfection, expresses every emotional nuance the way a perfectly-brewed Cuban coffee reveals its flavours.

“Caballo,” the first single, is a sizzling Cuban funk rock number with nods to late 70s Afro-beat and early Michael Jackson. “Ella” is the kind of soul-drenched crooner that got Alex likened to a modern day Marvin Gaye by the Boston Globe. “Que Pasa Lola” – already an audience favourite - is a relentlessly hooky, fuzzy-guitared rock n’ roll extravaganza while “Solo Tu” is a sugar-cane sweet Latin serenade that seems destined for the Latin radio charts. The album also sees Alex breaking the language barrier with his first English song - the funky, Earth Wind and Firesque “If You Give Me Love.”

By breaking down barriers between musical genres, Alex has united fans from across the musical spectrum, attracting a large and diverse crowd to his electrifying live shows – many of whom have more Belle Orchestre on their iPods than Buena Vista Social Club.

What’s more, he has shattered expectations for a Cuban artist in the Canadian music business, collaborating with major pop and rock acts like Nelly Furtado and Blue Rodeo.

Alex co-wrote eight of the songs on Furtado’s current Spanish language release, Mi Plan, including the first single “Manos Al Aire,” which has spent five weeks at #1 on the Billboard Hot Latin chart. The song also debuted in the top 10 in Germany, Italy, Switzerland, Spain, and Latin America. Alex’s duet with Furtado on the album’s title track was released as an iTunes single in August. Just a year ago, Alex went into the studio with Blue Rodeo to record a Spanish rendition of the band’s song “Bad Timing.” It was released as an iTunes single last December.

Other Alex milestones of the last two years include debuting in Barcelona, showcasing as part of the Canadian Music Trade Mission to Japan, and twice selling out Joe’s Pub in New York City. He also had four iTunes singles of the week in four different countries. All this activity, combined with a chart-topping performance on iTunes by Alex’s sophomore album, Agua del Pozo, resulted in Alex securing a US distribution deal for his own independent record label, Caracol Records. A US edition of Agua del Pozo, featuring two bonus tracks, was released state-side on September 22nd to significant acclaim. Alex is currently touring the US in support of it. His Canadian album launch tour kicks off in November.

DATES:

November 6 - Element Nightclub, Victoria

November 8 - The Queens Hotel, Nanaimo

November 10 – The Biltmore, Vancouver

November 12 – The Key City Theatre, Cranbrook

November 13 - Langham Theatre, Kaslo

November 14 – Local 522, Calgary

November 15 – Elk’s Lodge, Red Deer

November 17 – The Bassment, Saskatoon

November 18 – The Exchange, Regina

November 19 – The Park Theatre, Winnipeg

November 21 – Lincoln Alexander Theatre, Hamilton

November 22 - The Blind Dog, Windsor

November 26 - Zaphod Beeblebrox, Ottawa

November 27 – L’Astral, Montreal

November 28 – Market Hall, Peterborough

November 30 - Sound Academy, Toronto (with Bebel Gilberto)