Nobody's Business

Motimba were a UK based Latin band from the late 1990's, mixing Cuban Timba with Funk and Soul. Funkiwala Records presents a couple of previously unreleased and newly unearthed recordings. Nobody's Business is a London Latin Soul track, featuring the late Danny Suarez (aka Kid Africa) doing a guest rap. This was recorded when Danny first arrived in London from Cuba in the early 00s. Di' Me is a Timba meets London Funk mix, recorded late last century, but remastered in 2017 at Gearbox Records, The tracks still sound fresh today and are testament to the widely held view that they were way ahead of their time.

Background

In the 1990's a new musical movement was developing in Cuba, creating a new music called Timba. This was an update of their traditions, bringing in new influences, new harmonies and new arrangements to the Cuban sound. At the same time in London, their was a re-birth of a thriving live Latin scene, spurred on by the release of the Buena Vista Social Club, and the influx of Cubans moving to the UK,

Emerging from these two scenes was the band Motimba – giving Timba a London sensibility – creating a new hybrid - Timba Funk.
One of the hardest gigging bands on the scene, their popularity culminated in being signed to independent French label Iris Music, who released their first album "Monkey Vibrations" in 2003 to much critical acclaim. Notable gigs included supporting the legendary Spanish Harlem Orchestra, and The Gypsy Kings.

Described by Straight No Chaser as "Ground-breaking", their music has been used in countless Latin Dance video's and their cover of Stevie Wonders Pastime Paradise remains a dancefloor favourite.

Nobody's Business

Music by K.Khan/J.Thurgur/Robert Henry/Enrique Bringas/Kid Africa

lead vocals - Robert Henry, Enrique Bringas Puente
Rap - Kid Africa
Backing vocals - Yanet Fuentes
Wurlitzer Piano/Programmation - Kishon Khan
Bass - Patrick Zambonin
Congas - Oreste Noda
Trombone - Justin Thurgur
Trumpet - Graeme Flowers
Flute - Sophie Clark

Recorded at ThankYouPlease Studios by K.Khan
Mixed by I.Pamphile
Mastered at NRR studios by T. Omar
Artwork by Jonah Priddle
Produced by K. Khan

Di' me

credMusic by K.Khan/J.Thurgur/P.Zambonin/Robert Henry/Enrique Bringas

Musicians
Vocals - Robert Henry (lead)
Backing vocals - Enrique Bringas Puente, Javier Camilo, Flavio Arias Dias
Piano - Kishon Khan
Bass - Patrick Zambonin
Drums - Stephane San Juan
Congas - Jorge Pesada
Trombone - Justin Thurgur
Trumpet - Graeme Flowers

Recorded at Steam Rooms, London, date unknown (presumed 1999)
Remastered at Gearbox Records by Caspar Sutton-Jones
Artwork by Jonah Priddle
Produced by Kishon Khan