Roberto Poveda
New York City, New York, United States | Established. Jan 01, 2014 | INDIE
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With simmering intensity that never has to reach a boiling point to profoundly effect the listener, the debut album from nueva trova protagonist Roberto Poveda, Son Electrico is yet another jewel in Miami's crown, as Latin America's musical capitol. Simultaneously balancing a rootsy aesthetic with very modern ideas and content, Poveda will remind listeners of the genius of cross-genre artists like Taj Mahal and Norah Jones. The singer/songwriter comes to the major-label table at the end of a very long musical journey. Born in Cuba, Poveda established himself as an important figure in the nueva trova cubana movement throughout the '80s before relocating to Bogota, Colombia. After several years' work in theater and film, Poveda relocated again and finally to Miami, where a publishing deal allowed him to focus solely on his music and the writing process. Regular live performances won him both a fan base, and the opportunity to record his own record. The resulting project features some of the most subtle, sensual songwriting to heard today. The tone of the record is delightfully organic and raw. Poveda's electric guitar playing is intelligent and sparse, not often the case in Latin music contexts. His taste for production is as sensitive and refined as his songcraft. Poveda's debut performance is of a strength and consistency not often seen. Brilliant. By Evan C. Gutierrez / All Music - Guide - 2006 - All Music Guide
The Brazilian Girls, Roberto Poveda, Schuyler Fisk, Athlete and Martin Sexton wrap up an incredible week of performances at ASCAP's Music Café. By PlayBack Magazine - February 2006
From the infectious dance grooves of the Brazilian Girls to the passionate songs of Cuban-born Roberto Poveda to the lush and melancholic rock of Britain's Athlete, ASCAP's Music Café headed into its final three days by continuing to give Sundance Film Festival '06 attendees a series of unforgettable showcases. Peformances also included those by singer-songwriter Schuyler Fisk with Mat Dauzat, the quirky, ukelele-inflected rock of the Gold Brothers, NYC singer-songwriter Kristin Hoffman and folk fave Martin Sexton. The café hosted packed houses and many filmmakers, producers, actors and actresses with films in this year's festival were in attendance, including Sissy Spacek (Schuyler Fisk's mother), Michael Rapaport and HBO Entourage star Adrian Grenier. - Playback Magazine
"Poveda's musical roots lie in Cuba's trova tradition, a blend of bohemian ballads and poetic political statements. Here, he expands the genre stylistically to include muted jazzy horns, lounge grooves and electric guitars with bluesy and Afro-pop overtones, all on gently loping Cuban rhythms. With that mix, Poveda distills a cool new coffeehouse sound that's part Tom Waits and part Pablo Milanes"..."Poveda makes it more modern, and more American". By Agustin Gurza / Los Angeles Times - December 2004 - L.A Times
"Son Electrico conjures up both scenes of sophisticated open mike performances at Havana's prestigious Gato Tuerto nightclub and down-to-earth world beat cafes in Berkeley, all the while provoking a longing for romance without borders or embargos". By Julienne Gage / Miami New Times - October 2004
- Miami New Times
"Cuban - born singer-songwriter Roberto Poveda is an exceptional talent who has flown beneath the radar of the Latin music scene...Poveda's seductive tenor fluctuates between strength and vulnerability, husky blues longing and hipswinging son sensuality". By Ed Morales / Newsday - May 2005
- Newsday
Discography
Still working on that hot first release.
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ROBERTO POVEDA
Roberto Poveda, is without a doubt a performer with the unique ability of reaching deep down into his Cuban roots, and deliver Soulful, Eclectic, and Hypnotizing songs which he both writes and performs with the passion of a true artist.
Poveda is a performer who has wandered with his guitar from one venue to another over the past few years, building an audience of loyal followers. Povedas' unique approach in combining the various Cuban music forms of Son, Bolero, Rumba, & Timba, with Jazz, R & B, and Rap has resulted in a sound all his own.
Following in the steps of his grandfather, a Cuban Troubadour in the traditional vein, Poveda joined Havana's Nueva Trova movement, maturing musically among a new generation of Cuban singer / songwriters. In 1989 Poveda moved to Colombia, where he starred in Soap Operas, and in 1997 he relocated to Miami with a publishing deal with Peer Music. Commissioned to write the kind of catchy pop that could be recorded by Latin stars and hit the charts. (His brother, Donato, is one such Latin hit maker).
His first U.S. album - Son Electrico, takes you beyond boundaries rarely heard or experienced. Son Electrico resonates with tremendous feeling delivered by Povedas rum-on-the rocks vocals and genuine playing. Son Electrico features 10 tracks, all written by Poveda or co-written with other artists, including Colombian singer / songwriter Juanes.
As with his live shows, Poveda experiments here with a gamut of ballad-based styles, incorporating Son, Bolero, and R & B. The results are often reminiscent of the music of other artists, ranging from the updated country son of the late Cuban star Polo Montanez, the electric licks of Santana, and the disparate Cuban folk-rock styles of Povedas Cuban contemporaries.
Without a doubt Son Electrico is an intimate and appealing ode to the well-crafted song. Poveda has generously opened his Heart and Soul with Son Electrico. We can only imagine that this is a glimpse of what is yet to come from the great talent of Roberto Poveda...
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