One of Cuba’s hottest new bands mixing anything from cumbia, meringue, and salsa to hip-hop, funk and reggaeton

Cubans, of course, have music in their DNA, and to stand out in a country which currently boasts the likes of Guantanamo rappers Madera Limpia and Havana’s jazz-leaning Interactivo collective is really saying something. Fronted by the doe-eyed and taut-of-torso singer Yoandri “El Conejo” Castro, with project founder DJ Lyng Chang on decks and sisters Yusi and Yonaiky González on flute and keyboards respectively, To’Mezclao spark mass hysteria wherever they perform – as the DVD, which features El Conejo and guest singer Crema pelvic-thrusting in unison – testifies. They’ve also collaborated with symphony orchestras and the likes of Brazilian piano legend João Donato.

As their name – meaning “all mixed up” – suggests, To’Mezclao cast their net over a wide variety of musical styles from Cuba and elsewhere in the Latin diaspora and combine it with influences from the contemporary West. You’ll hear everything from cumbia, meringue and salsa to hip-hop, funk and reggaeton. It never loses sight of the band’s Cuban roots, although it is delivered with a pop sensibility that keeps things catchy and punchy without ever being formulaic. The opening merengue “Aqui Todo Ya Esta Inventao” is a perfectly formed three-minute hit. “Quiero Olividarla” should do for salsa sessions what the beats-heavy “Cuando Pasa El Tiempo” does for club dance floors. Someone get them an international tour, quick.

Jane Cornwell
Songlines

To’Mezclao UK Tour

Fri 17 June, 2011
Bath Pavilion
Bath
01225 486902

Sat 18 June, 2011
Chester Telford Warehouse
01244 390090

Sat 25  & 26 June, 2011
Glastonbury Festival

Thu 30 June, 2011
Aldershot Arts Centre
01293 553636

Sat 02 July, 2011
Ipswich Arts Festival
01473 433100

Fri 08 July, 2011
The Hawth, Crawley
01252 330040

Sat 09 July, 2011
Lichfield Fuse Community Arts Festival
01543 222623

Sun 10 July, 2011
Peterborough Vivacity Festival
01733 864169

Fri 15 July, 2011
Waterloo Festival, London

Sat 16 July, 2011
London Shoredicth Festival
020 7033 8520