Locomotora A Cuba

(album release 5.9.2014)

Wie naar het bijzondere in Cuba’s actuele muziek zoekt stuit onvermijdelik op Addys Mercedes. Haar warme stem ontvoert ons naar een Cuba tussen uitgelaten vrolijkheid en diepe melancholie. Een album dat de klank van Cuba personificeert en dauwfris klinkt.

Addys Mercedes heeft vele verhalen te vertellen: Opgegroeid in bescheiden omstandigheden in een landelijke omgeving van Cuba, herinnert zij zich haar jeugd – de zeepkist (“Carrito de Cartón”) die ze met haar broers en zussen bouwde en waarmee ze in haar dromen door Havanna stoof en achtervolgingsjachten speelde met de politie. Of de oude veerboot die voor haar vaderstad ankerde en Addys het toneel bood (“Ahí”). Addys leeft inmiddels in Essen/Duitsland en haar nieuwe album “Locomotora a Cuba” beschrijft het spannungsveld tussen de culturen: de belevenissen en alledaagse voorwerpen die zij zou willen meenemen naar Cuba en de levendigheid en warmte die ze met terug naar Europa brengt.
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Addys

(album 2012)

In 2012 the third album „Addys“ was successfully released in Germany. The arrangements witness a new selfconfidence in songwriting, away fom clichés. Rockguitars are replacing latin hornsections and salsa-pianos. Addys warm voice draws the bridge from natural ballads to indiepop.
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Nomad

(album 2003)

“Nomad” – for Addys Mercedes means more than just moving from one place to another. Like she did when she left her Cuban native country in order to conquer the rest of the world by means of her voice.

For Addys, “Nomad” is a perfect example for the joy of discovery and the fascination of the unknown. “For Cuban people the world changes only very slowly”, Addys looks back. “I am changing continuesly” she say looking forward. It is just natural for her not to deny her roots but to give them new exciting shades.
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Mundo Nuevo

(album 2001)

Her debutalbum „Mundo Nuevo“ (new world) Addys recorded in old legendary cuban studios with musician-friends from her youth. Guajiras, cha cha chas and sones resemble, pure and genuine, of a young Celia Cruz or Omara Portuondo. Gueststar and duett-partner in the romantic guajira „No Me Abandones“ was the legendary Raul Planas. With her warm, unique voice Addys sings about her memories of her cuban childhood (Cha Ka Cha) and the arrival in a new european world (Mundo Nuevo).
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Gigolo

(3.single from album “Addys” – 11.5.12 Germany)

Sunny, with a pinch of reggae, cuban singer/songwriter Addys Mercedes inaugurates the summer season. Relaxed and ingenuous like the gigolo Addys sings of, electric guitars are grooving with a tuba and caribbean vocal lines.
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Hollywood

(2.single from album “Addys”)

In the second single „Hollywood“ Addys rocks and raps „à la cubana“ about her child dreams of becoming an actress. Her mother couldn’t draw her attention away from it: „El arte no da pa’ comer, sin fula no subes, te quedas en las nubes“ (the art is breadless, without money you won’t make it anywhere and you’ll be left with your dreams). Luckily Addys did not listen to her. Athough she didn’t get a role in a Hollywood film, Addys being a teenager was able to support her family with her fees. The song „Hollywood“ is like a film without camera, a musical journey between cuban tradition and melodic indiepop.
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Sabado Roto

(1.single from album “Addys”)

Accompanied by mandolines, okuleles and a cuban tres Addys sings of a rainy Saturday, a Sabado Roto (broken Saturday). While singing she forgets about her bad luck (mala suerte) and starts to enjoy her destiny. Self-mockingly Sabado Roto describes the life of a Cuban used to sun in rainy Europe.
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