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Alexander Abreu was not a prophet in his own land. His album "Cantor del pueblo" was not nominated for the Cubadisco awards in the category of popular dance music groups. However, the jury of the Latin Grammy Awards has just selected it as one of the best salsa albums of the year. This contradiction has sparked much discussion among musicians and experts in the Caribbean nation.
The trumpeter Alexander Abreu overlooked the mishap by the jury of Cubadisco (the most significant festival for musicians in the island nation) and expressed his happiness for the nomination for the Latin Grammy Awards.
"Joy and happiness! This nomination is already an award for all of us who defend our popular dance music day after day. Ten years with Havana D’Primera and my excellent musicians, ten years receiving the unconditional love and affection from my people and from all around the world—without you, this would not have been possible. My eternal gratitude!" the musician wrote on his Facebook profile.
Cantor de Pueblo, the fourth album by Havana D´Primera, was released last May in Havana. Recorded under the Páfata Productions label, the material was mastered in the United States and features 10 tracks, including Mujeriego, Pastilla de Menta, Habana mía, and Lamento Yoruba.
The absence of Cantor del pueblo from the list of nominees for Cubadisco in the category of popular dance music groups has caused dissatisfaction among a significant group of Cuban musicians, including several who are nominated in this category.
The album was included in the vocal section of dance music, a category that surprised more than a few.
"I don't question those nominated for the Cubadisco in the dance music category; they all deserve the nomination. However, I missed seeing Van Van and Alexander Abreu and Alain Pérez as contenders in this category for their excellent productions. I can't understand why they aren't included," wrote Adalberto Álvarez on his Facebook account.
The sonero has been nominated for his CD "De Cuba pa’l mundo entero" alongside "Yo me muero en La Habana" by Elito Revé y su Charangón; "Pasándola bien" by Pupy y los que Son Son; "Subiendo la parada" by David Calzado y Charanga Habanera; "La vida cambió" by Manolito Simonet; and "+ Fuerte" by Charanga Latina.
The percussionist Giraldo Piloto, another major figure of Cuban popular music, wrote: "Totally absurd!!! I have learned that the album 'Cantor del pueblo' by Alexander Abreu and Havana D' Primera is not nominated in the category of Danceable Popular Music, where the top orchestras from Cuba are competing this year at the Cubadisco Fair. It is rare in our music to hear an album so complete and perfect in terms of musical arrangements, themes, production, mixes, and the national and international acceptance and consumption by followers of Cuban music."
The conductor of the Klimax orchestra added, "With all due respect to the colleagues on the committees responsible for selecting the nominated works each year, I believe they have made a significant mistake on this occasion."
The jury of the Cubadisco Awards has not explained its position regarding these events. In any case, Havana D´Primera is already on the path to the Latin Grammy Awards, the ceremony of which will be held on November 15 in the U.S. city of Las Vegas.
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