El Conjunto Massalia - "Chan Chan"

Featured on the Putumayo collection "Latin Groove"
Originally released on March 12, 2002

From the liner notes:
El Conjunto Massalia was founded in Marseilles, a bustling and diverse metropolis in southern France that has been a cultural crossroads since pre-Roman times. This 8-member salsa ensemble named itself after the original name of Marseilles, which was established by Phoenician traders around 600 BC.Today, the city is home to a large population of Algerian and African immigrants, and has become a leading creative center for the French and Arab hip-hop scenes. At first glance southern France might not seem like a hotbed of Latin music, but further examination would reveal that the cultural connection is actually quite strong. Located on the Mediterranean and just 200 miles from Spain, residents of Marseilles have long felt a closer connection to their hot-blooded Spanish neighbors than their cool Parisian brethren in the north of France. Gypsy rumba pioneers like The Gipsy Kings and Los Reyes are actually from this part of France, not Spain as many people assume, and the influence
of Cuban music and salsa on gypsy rumba has been huge.

“Chan Chan” is a gritty Cuban son that was composed by Francisco Repilado, better known as Compay Segundo, the 95-year-old veteran of the Buena Vista Social Club. The brainchild behind this irresistibly funky rendition is Doumé Gaspari, the singer and multi-instrumentalist leader of El Conjunto Massalia. On this verson Gaspari programmed the rhythm track, sings, raps, plays guitar and congas. He is joined by Boris Sudres on tres, the Cuban guitar that is an essential element of classic Cuban son. Gaspari adds his own tribute to Compay Segundo with his rap at the end of the track: “This is the journey / That Francisco Repilado made / Bringing the son / From Havana to Europe / With his hat / A nice cigar / And his cuatro.”