Welcome to Cuba on Record
Writing and music from Judy Cantor-Navas
"Music gives you peace, it gives you happiness. And through music, you can remember all of the interesting things that happened to you in your own life.”
A lot of what I’ve learned about living has come from Cuban music and my unconstrained conversations with Cuban musicians. The Cuban songs I’ve listened to, sung and danced to for hours and through the years, their polyrhythms and melodies a marvel, are lyrical narratives full of humor, romance, philosophy, sobering realism and the fantastical hope that keeps us carrying on.
My conversations with tremendously innovative and extraordinarily humble musicians have not only taught me so much about the language of music, they have shown me what it means to have grace.
Beholding their dedication even when the tides of commercial music trends, social schisms and international politics have put enormous obstacles in the path of their careers has helped me deal with my own challenges with more strength, and even a laugh. Their examples have urged me to not stop seeking my audience. That someone will appreciate what I do.
Those musicians, many now departed, who I am so thankful to have encountered while they were here to tell their own stories; and artists from subsequent generations who I connect with today, express through their music a freedom that springs from their hearts and a will to make something new. To take a risk. It’s thinking of those life lessons I received and continue to receive through their words and their music that I’m starting this Substack.
"This music is like sand running through our hands. The intention is for people who aren't familiar with it to get to know it, and to allow those who haven't heard it for a long time to relive it."
—Pianist Frank Emilio Flynn, danzón maestro and a founder of the Cuban filin’.
What is Cuba on Record?
Cuba on Record is a newsletter and Substack publication about Cuban music recordings, Cuban musicians and other music and subjects that they inspire. I’ll feature weekly playlists, my writing about essential albums and the evolution of songs (from historic originals to contemporary cover versions), interviews with musicians, articles, essays and videos.
The starting point for this Substack is the story of Panart Records, the first and forgotten Cuban record company, and the subject of my book in progress, which I’m offering to subscribers in serialized form.
On this Substack, I’m telling the stories of iconoclastic artists who invented the sound of contemporary Latin music and their musical heirs. The writing here connects the dots between past and present, music of different styles and countries, its social and political context, and subjects ranging from record cover design, food and fashion to intellectual property and the very notion of the ownership of music.
“What we were looking for was music we had never heard. ''We wanted to make music do a 360-degree turn.''
What can I find on Cuba on Record?
All my subscribers will receive:
A weekly playlist that tells the story of a particular moment in Cuban music, profiles an artist or explores the evolution of a musical style, which can include related music by Latin American, U.S., Spanish and other international artists.
Reviews of notable new albums and singles, and re-releases by Cuban and other Latin music artists.
Interviews with artists, DJs and collectors.
Rockin’ Cha: A song of the week that encapsulates Cuban music’s international and cross-cultural connections, and the story behind it.
Featured videos and film clips
My Paid subscribers will also receive:
A new chapter of my serialized book, also called Cuba on Record, about Panart Records + book soundtrack playlists and accompanying images and videos, about once a month.
Album notes from my annotated discography of the Panart catalogue, telling the stories of essential recordings that marked key moments in Cuban music history and are among the most influenctial Latin records in history. Always with links for listening.
Exclusive playlists and mixes
Special articles and interviews
Access to my articles archive about Cuban and Latin music its social history and cultural politics
I’m very grateful to everyone who has supported my work so far, and everyone who tells me their stories.
I hope that you will subscribe to Cuba on Record, and if possible, join with a paid subscription so that I can finish my book and pay some bills while keeping my research and writing going.
If you have any questions, comments or just want to say hi, contact me at cubaonrecord@gmail.com
Let’s go! A gozar!
Listen to some of Panart’s greatest hits!