ORQUESTA LA EXCELENCIA
Tuesday 30th June 2009 7.30pm
Cargo, Shoreditch, London

There are few issues upon which  America’s (and the world’s) fiercely divided latino music industry and press reach consensus, but New York’s sensational new 12-piece salsa orchestra, La Excelencia, is one of them.

Here’s just some of what’s been said over the last few months:

“It takes just a note or two to hear that La Excelencia is different. This is unprettified salsa dura, with the percussion cranked, lots of breaks, the voices loud…it’s unapologetic.” New York Times

“(Mi Tumbao Social)  is already the best salsa album of  2009…a truly afro street feeling, which we used to hear on many Fania recordings. The true street salsa of New York, without overdubs.”
DJ Erik Van Diemen

“What band has something to say worth listening to? What band will make the barren, cracked desert landscape of U.S.-made latin music turn lush and green as El Yunque, take you to ‘el monte’ and show you the latino side of the American dream? La Excelencia- go no further!”
Latin Beat Magazine, California

“From immigration to infidelity, from prejudice to profiling issues, their compositions evoke a straightforward and realistic look at the everyday problems in the life of latinos today…reminiscent of the early days of Willie Colón and Hector Lavoe.” Leading latin music critic Rudy Mangual

“The best salsa release of 2009… it’s like when The Spanish Harlem Orchestra first burst on the scene. I’m hearing the same sense of discovery and excitement at hearing a recording with such loving attention to detail, realism, lack of attitude, and just enough rough edges and grit to give you those chills that only classic latin music gives.” Pablo Yglesias, Descarga.com

And by the way, they’ll make you dance your socks off, too.

La Excelencia’s first and only London performance of 2009 is at Cargo, Shoreditch,
Tuesday 30th June.

WITH MC & DJ JOHN ARMSTRONG (100% SALSA DURA DJ SET)