Tremendo Delirio

One of their earlier records, before David Calzado's name was dropped from the bill in favor of the simpler Charanga Habanera, Tremendo Delirio is a great look at what modern Cuba's most influential dance bands sounded like before their widespread fame. Recorded long before la Charanga Habanera would eventually split and restructure, Calzado taking the name with him to form the modern incarnation, this 1997 release was being made while timba was still in a red-hot, molten state, being formed and influenced by every new artist to claim the name. It's easy to hear not only the seeds of David Calzado's brilliance, but what were fresh ideas that would with time become the style's golden rules. The super-funky tempo change that would become a hallmark Charanga Habanera move, the processed bass and keyboard sounds, and hip compana patterns are all in there, and occasionally, for the first time. Even before their prime, la Charanga's writing team features some of the hippest ideas in modern Latino music. Though the group would distill with time, reaching their current dangerously high proof, David Calzado y la Charanga Habanera were always amazing innovators. Tremendo Delirio is no exception.