ASERE

Asere is a Cuban group made up of Juan Alarcon, Alejandro Albar, Vicente Arencibia, David Echevarria, Michel Padron, Michel Salazar and Andres Valdes. It is described as a group of young Cuban musicians working within the traditions of Cuban Son.

The group’s debut release, Cuban Soul, pays tribute to earlier Son figures including Ignacio Piñeiro, Miguel Matamoro and Arsenio Rodriguez. The record presents ten tracks and aims to preserve the older Cuban style while offering a fresh approach. Asere is also placed in contrast with later Cuban acts such as Irakere, Los Van Van and NG La Banda, which are associated with more experimental approaches to Cuban music and with the timba sound.

Asere is compared with the success of Buena Vista Social Club, a major Cuban release in international markets, and is presented as part of the continuing popularity of traditional Cuban music.