Viva Cuba What: Lively music with soul is what you’ll get on this double-disc set paying tribute to the music of Cuba.

The Dirt:
Castro, refugees, Communism and sugar are the common modern characteristics of modern Cuba, but others may argue the lack of modernization has kept much of the art community intact. While the freedom of the people has been stifled for too long, the mixture of Spanish and African cultures in this isolated Caribbean island nation has proven a strong basis for dozens of musical genres. Roots of the drumming found in many styles goes back to the outlet slaves tapped —making music. The mixture of drums, guitar, percussion instruments and various melodies made Cuba a breeding ground for soulful Afro-Latin musical acts. The music was cultivated both in Cuba and the U.S., where it blended well with elements of jazz and rhythm and blues, further deepening the soul behind the music of a complex nation.

Rough Guides’ upcoming release, The Rough Guide to the Music of Cuba, features the sounds of many genres, including salsa, rumba, and jazz-infused tunes that we can hear fueling an all-night barbeque, complete with grilled seafood, jicama salad, mojitos and white sangria. While you hold out for the release, check out the existing inventory available from Rough Guides. No matter your musical interests, this travel guidebook company offers something for every personality.

Where:
The Rough Guide to the Music of Cuba will be out on July 27 in the U.S. For more information or to check out other albums, visit the Rough Guide website.