I'd definitely recommend this guy's music and lyrics. Think of a Cuban Bob Dylan-Bruce Cockburn-Stephan Smith mixup. Really good. Spanish is a must, though.


DIRECT FROM CUBA: CARLOS VARELA!



Carlos Varela, a vocalist and guitarist in the literary songwriter tradition, sings of the reality of contemporary Cuba with all it's virtues and difficulties.

Born in Havana, Varela was a vital part of the nueva trova movement that had begun in the mid 60s and was still strong as Varela came of age in 1980s Cuba.

A champion of individual rights and creativity, and therefore often at odds with the Cuban government, Varela has worked and performed with artists such as Silvio Rodriguez and Pablo Milanes .

While most other artists involved in the Nueva Trova movement have moved on to other contemporary forms, Varela continues to explore the beauty and lyricism Nueva Trova's fusion of of the traditional forms and politicized content.

The Village Voice has referred to songwriter and pop idol as the 'Cuban Dylan' - perhaps for his careful observations presented in a river of poetic associations as well as his knack for always being at the centre of some political or aesthetic controversy

Carlos Varela en el Lula Lounge