AZÚCAR LETAL are the next generation of latin pop. It is a cooperation between the three cuban singers Lenia Diaz-Diaz, Africa Marquez-Cardenas, Madelin Esquime-Alfonso and the innovative electronic music producer Holger Hiller.
They successfully connected the roots of salsa in its cuban form with an up to date pop production. The story so far... Cuban music has had a huge influence on european and american styles. Not only can these influences be traced back to the mambo craze of the early sixties in the US and the latin influences on jazz music, but even JAMES BROWN and the invention of funk music were not imaginable without the afro cuban foundations laid a decade earlier.
To bring this influence back to life is the aim of HOLGER HILLER. Is it possible to create a true crossover on the basis of the afro cuban traditions, without destroying them in the process? This is the question, that was his starting point The other aim is to produce in a style that departs from the ususal salsa images and moves away from the nostalgic pictures of smiling people, palm trees and hand rolled cigars. The choice of songs on this pop orientated album reflects the ambigous moods of cuba today, from the emotional love song "ya ves" to the slightly sinister "hagamos un chen" commenting on prostitution. AZÚCAR LETAL shows that cuban music is not far removed from european and american influenced styles. They are not opposites. They belong together They successfully connected the roots of salsa in its cuban form with an up to date electronic pop production. The choice of songs on their pop orientated album reflects the ambigous moods of cuba today, from the emotional love song "ya ves" to the slightly sinister "hagamos un chen" commenting on prostitution. Produced by Holger Hiller. out productions is a music production company based in europe, dedicated to bringing the latin influence of popular music to a new level. out productions is soly concerned about the use of contemporary electronic and computerized music productions techniques in use of integrating latin content of new origin and of utilizing old recordings in the form of sampling and digital techniques. In this sense it puts latin music into a modern context which is traditionally the domaine of euro- american styles such as jungle, hip hop, techno and electronically produced mainstream pop. our projects reflect these aims. It is important for us to extend the latin influence beyond mere use of "cuban samples" in "dance tracks" or the nostalgic revival of an apparently "original" sound, which is currently so often the case. We want to develope, instead of using these influences. Therefore our idea of originality is very differently defined from the current latin and cuban hypes. The company was founded by the german music producer HOLGER HILLER, who is well known for his influence on german new wave music in the 80´s, and his albums and production works in the 90´s, published on Britains biggest Independent label Mute Records. Together with his team mate CHRISTIAN TRAUT, he has started this long term project with the debut album of AZÚCAR LETAL, which was followed up with "electrolatino!", a compilation album of various electronic production teams around the globe, dedicated to the new latin sound. If you are interested in our concept and if you think you can contribute in any way, like sending your own demos, articles for our news section etc., you are wellcome to e-mail us: outpro@hotmail.com. Demos should be sent to...