Cimafunk pulls audience on stage!

CIMAFUNK IS IN DA HOUSE!! QUE BOLA ACERE!! The funnest band we’ve seen perform live in a long time, Cimafunk played Orleans’ Shenkman Arts Centre last night and we were there!

Cimafunk made their Canadian debut in Orleans on Thursday night to a near capacity house. Singer, composer, and producer Erick Iglesias Rodriguez and his 8-piece band started their latest world tour in the US on April 15th. They will be moving on to  Montreal, London and then Toronto before  continuing on to Mexico and Europe. The set list consisted of all his hits from his latest album El Alimento. The album is filled with star-studded collaborations with George Clinton, Lupe Fiasco, CeeLo Green and Chucho Valdés as well as crowd favourites Me Voy (on every Cuban’s lips) from previous albums Terapia and Cun Cun Pra.

Rodriguez was born in Cuba in Pinar del Rio, the epicenter of tobacco production on the island. He was a third-year medical student when he moved to La Habana to fully dedicate himself to his musical career. The name Cimafunk references the Cimarrones, who were escaped slaves who created self-sustaining walled villages during the Spanish colonial era. Cimafunk’s sound has been described as a mash-up of Afro-Cuban funk blended with American funk, rap, and soul with bits of Santeria and Caribbean grooves.

The lead singer’s constant girations, along with his high energy sound is reminiscent of a young James Brown. You just can’t listen to this music and stand still. The appreicative crowd was up and on their feet immediately. They danced, grooved, sang along and even got up on stage with the band. It’s the first time I’ve ever seen a usually reserved Ottawa crowd respond to an artist this way. This is a band to watch out for!

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