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CuCu Diamantes – CUCULAND
The Co-Founder and Principal Vocalist of New York’s Critically Acclaimed Latin Funk Collective Yerba Buena, CuCu Diamantes Delivers A Multi-Cultural Fusion Of Latin Rhythm, New York Funk, Cabaret Glamour And Feminine Strength With The March 17th Release of Her Debut Solo CD CUCULAND
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“If Cuculand was a place, it would be a place of tolerance, open to all the races, inclinations and cultures, says Cucu Diamantes… the album includes rhythms of salsa, funk, cumbia, hip hop, pop, tango, flamenco and more” – Associated Press
“music [that] hopscotches across hemispheres, jubilantly fusing every idiom in its path... And for every nod to a vintage style there’s a border-crossing or simply surreal twist.”- New York Times
“…Cucu [is] fast talking and hyper-sexy... sassy, classy party music, with more trip-hop and cumbia, a touch or two of Latin balladeering, and a dose of high energy…pure pop -- Latin pop, that is.” - Washington Post
“We heart Cucu Diamantes…She's fabulous! …[Alguien] is candela. Sizzling hot!!!!!!! Even if you don't understand Spanish, you will love love love this song. Listen to Alguien and be dazzled” – Perez Hilton
“[a]captivating and seductive album… CUCULAND is pure rhythm with deep and reflective lyrics, and you will not want to skip a single track… Cucu Diamantes’ album might very well be one of the most pleasing musical surprises of the dawn of 2009” -Houston Chronicle/ LA Voz
“Artist of the Week: Cucu Diamantes-The fiery cantante Cubana from funk banda Yerba Buena” - MTV Tr3s
“We're cuckoo for CuCu Diamantes… "Cuculand," doesn't disappoint. A sizzling mix of salsa, trip-hop and other hip-shaking sounds, the CD is as worldly as the sultry woman behind it” – New York Post
“Cucu Diamantes' debut album is as dramatic as her life story…On Cuculand she's [an] independent, flamboyant woman charging through life, as extravagant in her emotions as she is in her style.”-Miami Herald
“CUCULAND is at once a breath of fresh air and a nostalgic whiff of a more glamorous time. It shimmers with the glitz and glamour of an era when catching a show meant dinner jackets and hair tonic, evening gowns and diamonds. But it also bares its teeth & bites down on the modern sounds of New York streets” – Miami New Times
“…nothing short of a carnival. On her hotly anticipated solo debut Cuculand, [Diamantes] creates a potent mix of Salsa, hip-hop, funk and other neo-worldly rhythms.” - Latina
“CuCu Diamantes is the embodiment of luxury and style, refined and elegant, but still fun, playful and unique. She's every bit a modern day pinup… [she ] has quite a voice... Sexy, spunky and Cuban...what's not to like?”
– Broward New Times
“Artist of the Week: Cucu Diamantes-The fiery cantante Cubana from funk banda Yerba Buena” - MTV Tr3s
“Cuculand is an all out, frenzied explosion of freshness, a cyclone of creativity and irony… For weeks now, I cannot go without listening to it at least once a day, if not twice.” - Miguel Bosé
“A Rare Jewel Sparkles: Cucu Diamantes… is a delight for the eardrum. …The album is dedicated to women everywhere, and speaks about topics Diamantes has encountered from being mistreated ("Sentimiento"), being lied to ("Mentiras"), to undying love ("Still in Love")" – Washington Post Express
- See Expanded Reviews Below -
- Various
Discography
SOLO: 1 Abum CUCULAND
With Yerba Buena: 3 Albums: President Alien/Island Life/Follow me
Photos
Bio
video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4CNbnrqCFDc
myspace: http://www.myspace.com/cucudiamantes.com
CUCU DIAMANTES
Born of Spanish, African, Chinese and French heritage, CuCuDiamantes is a fascinating
singer-songwriter and actress from Cuba. Together with producer and guitarrist Andres
Levin, Diamantes co-founded the sizzling-hot Latin fusion band, Yerba Buena, and was
directly responsible for garnering major recognition and popularity for the band,
including a Grammy nomination, special request performances with artists such as Dave
Matthews, Ray Charles, Juanes and Celia Cruz, as well as critical media praise such as:
“[A] joyful, partying, sexy and smart voice.” Associated Press.
“[A] musicologist’s dream… a joyful, ever-evolving, border-hopping groove…something serious gained for [popular music].” The New York Times.
“A sizzling jam session.” Wall Street Journal.
“The best Latin album of the year… the most danceable concert of the
entire year.” Miami Herald
“Smoking hot… Resistance is futile. Dance you must, and dance you will.”
The Washington Post.*
“Yerba Buena is one of the most exciting bands to hit the Latin music scene
in years.” VIBE.
“[One of] our best musical performances.” Late Night with Conan O’Brien.
After 8 years as Yerba Buena’s principal vocalist and songwriter, Diamantes is now
releasing her first solo record, “CuCuLand” in March 2009 to much anticipation.
Smart, sexy and fierce, CuCuDiamantes’ music is an intoxicating mix of NYC
downtown funk and old school Cuban glamour and passion—a dynamite combination
which drives audiences to dance with joyful abandon. Diamantes’ talented band is
comprised of a full range of horns, percussion and guitar, giving a big, electric sound to
her live performances.
In advance of her solo LP debut, “CuCuLand”, Diamantes has made several major
appearances as a individual artist, collaborating with music stars such as Fatboy Slim,
Fun Lovin’ Criminals, Dead Presidents, Orishas, Beto Cuevas, Voltio and others on
original recordings. She had a song included on the soundtrack for the NBC hit show
“Heroes” (joining David Bowie, The Chemical Brothers, Bob Dylan and Iggy Pop),
collaborated with Los Tucanes de Tijuana on the film soundtrack for “Ladron que Roba
Ladron”, and worked with Vico C and Praz on the “Feel the Noize” film soundtrack.
Diamantes’ sassy, hilarious personality and natural talent as as an actress
has put her in front of the camera for appearances in the films “El
Cantante” and “Dirty Dancing: Havana Nights”, as well as the TV series
“Third Watch” and a recent MTV Latin America tribute to “The Cure”. An urban muse
and a darling of the New York City fashion and art world,
Diamantes is often featured in the social and entertainment press and has
caught the eye of artistic insiders such as legendary photographer Mark
Seliger (GQ, Rolling Stone, Vanity Fair), who is creating the cover artwork
for “CuCuLand”.
CuCuDiamantes is a socially conscious artist. She was a creative force
behind the benefit albums “Red Hot + Latin” and “Red Hot + Riot”, and has
donated her time to charitable causes such as Cielo Latino and other efforts
to combat AIDS and cancer in the Latino community. Diamantes was a key
collaborator in an immensely popular Spanish language video, “Podemos Con Obama” in
support of U.S. President-elect Barack Obama, collaborating with artists such as
Alejandro Sanz, John Leguizamo, Paulina Rubio, Don Omar, Jessica Alba and George
Lopez. Most recently, CuCuDiamantes participated in Amnesty International’s
forthcoming music video and track, “The Price of Silence” featuring music stars from
around the world such as Natalie Merchant, Stephen Marley, Hugh Masekala and others
to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the United Nation’s Universal Declaration on
Human Rights. CuCuDiamantes is also a spokesperson for Amnesty International’s
“Protect the Human” and “Stop Violence Against Women” campaigns.
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