'Nothing short of explosive!'  

This is how The Times described the concert you're listening to - when an exceptional group of Jamaican & Cuban musicians walked one-by-one onto the stage at London’s Royal Albert Hall for the BBC Proms, and showed the world just how powerful the Havana Meet Kingston project is.

Some background: This unique project was born back in 2014 when Australian producer Jake Savona first travelled from Jamaica to Cuba, and imagined the sounds of the two islands coming together. With that concept in mind he repeated the journey a year later, this time joined by a legendary team of reggae musicians - including rhythm giants Sly & Robbie - and history was made. Working in Havana's iconic EGREM Studio where Buena Vista Social Club and countless other legendary records have been produced, the group quickly recorded enough material for two or more studio albums. There was a magic in the air in Havana; the studio sessions were sizzling, the musical chemistry was tangible and thankfully an introductory video to the project went viral around the world. This helped to quickly build an international audience for the project, and the first album was released in 2017 to global critical acclaim. The album featured a stellar lineup of over 50 artists, including original members of Los Van Van, Irakere, Buena Vista Social Club, The Heptones, Ernest Ranglin and so many more. Soon after the band was on the road - the first time in history musicians from both islands would tour together, blending sounds and styles from both islands. In the Summer of 2018 Havana Meets Kingston appeared at seminal festivals in Australia, NZ , the UK and Europe, and were invited to present their repertoire at the esteemed Royal Albert Hall in London for the BBC Proms. This concert was filmed and broadcast in its 90-minute entirety by the BBC, and now it can be enjoyed here as the very first Havana Meets Kingston live concert album release.

It was an incredible night, a real journey into the rich history of Caribbean music. In Jake Savona's own words - 'nerves were high leading up to this performance, even amongst our most seasoned musicians, but what happened on stage that night was unforgettable. We felt a kind of zen-like calm and focus that allowed us to communicate on stage effortlessly, and most importantly allow the pure magic and power of the music to flow through us all. The audience response was ecstatic, the love in the room tangible, and it is a memory we will all cherish forever.’ As The Times review noted, it was an explosive musical performance; and it is one that the whole world can now enjoy.

Havana Meets Kingston continued touring globally in 2019 and 2020, and following the pandemic the group released their incredible follow-up album Havana Meets Kingston Part 2. This album expanded the project further, featuring an astounding 62 musicians and singers from both islands. There is also a wonderful dub companion album Havana Meets Kingston In Dub produced by Mista Savona & GAUDI. According to Savona there are 'big things afoot' for the coming years, so stay tuned!

Many people have helped make this live album possible. We would like to begin by expressing our gratitude to the extremely gifted musicians who made this London concert come to life - thankyou so much for making this special evening so powerful and memorable.

Brenda Navarrete - vocals & percussion 
Randy Valentine - vocals 
Solis - vocals & percussion
Julito Padrón - trumpet, vocals & percussion 
Rolando Luna - piano 
Bopee Bowen - guitar 
Matthieu Bost - saxophone & percussion 
Inor Sotolongo - percussion 
El Manu Garcia - drums & samples 
Valess Assouan - bass 
Jake Savona - keyboards, samples & arrangements 
Eric Coelho - mix engineer 

A special thankyou to the talented team behind the scenes  - Léa Boissel, Vianney Liesenborghs, Anna Coelho, Claire Henocque, Nawal Ainouche, Antoine Jamet, Simon Gurney and Elsa Sou, and to the event producer Luke Macpherson and everyone at the Royal Albert Hall. Deep gratitude to the record labels making this project possible - BACO Records, ABC Music, VP Records & Cumbancha. 

This album is dedicated to the project's beloved guitarist Winston ‘Bopee’ Bowen. We are very sad to say that Bopee passed away unexpectedly in 2019 in Kingston from a health condition. You can hear Bopee's special touch on his guitar all over the Havana Meets Kingston albums, and he features extensively on this live album too. Rest In Power, Bopee.

"We brought the sun, brother.”

IN MEMORY OF OUR BELOVED WINSTON 'BOPEE' BOWEN (1955-2019)

With love from us all, 

Baco Records & The Havana Meets Kingston family


Recorded at the Royal Albert Hall, London 
Prom 23, 31 July 2018
Produced by Sasha Duncan 
Directed by Janet Fraser Crook 
First TV broadcast on 3rd August 2018 

Executive Producer: George Savona
Post-production & additional mixing: Jake Savona
Mastered by Darren Ziesing @ Millennium Mastering
Photography (BBC Proms): Mark Allan (p) BBC
Gatefold Photography: Amanda de Zapirain & Javier Taveras
Design: Guxtavo


All tracks (p) 2023  BBC & BACO Records

For more information please visit:

www.havanameetskingston.com
www.bacorecords.fr
www.facebook.com/havanameetskingston
www.instagram.com/havanameetskingston/

LIVE AT THE BBC PROMS
ROYAL ALBERT HALL LONDON

SIDE A

01 Alumbanché - Eleggua, Omolodde - Yemaya
     featuring Brenda Navarette
02 Cumbanchero
     featuring Julito Padrón
03 410 San Miguel
     featuring Bopee

SIDE B

04 Candela
     featuring Solis & Randy Valentine
05 Siempre Si
     featuring Brenda Navarette & Randy Valentine
06 La Sitiera
     featuring Brenda Navarette
07 Bring Back The Love
      featuring Randy Valentine

SIDE C

08 Still 'Till Shiloh 
      featuring Randy Valentine
09 Warrior Ah Road
     featuring Randy Valentine
10 Piano Interlude
     featuring Rolando Luna
11 El Cuarto De Tula
      featuring Solis & Randy Valentine
12 Chan Chan
      featuring Julito Padrón

SIDE D

13 Havana Meets Kingston
     featuring Brenda Navarette
14 Carnival
     featuring Solis & Randy Valentine
15 Vibración Positive
     featuring Randy Valentine