Air Cuba (band)

Cuba
Origin	United Kingdom
Genres	Big Beat, techno
Years active	1998–2000/1
Labels	4AD
Associated acts	Chapterhouse Slowdive
Members
Christopher Andrews Ashley Bates

Cuba (also known as Air Cuba) were a Big Beat superduo formed by Christopher Andrews and former Chapterhouse drummer Ashley Bates. The group was known for their club performances in Europe and recordings for 4AD Records. Their sound demonstrated a range of electronic, pop, and rock influences, and they were frequently compared with Primal Scream.

Background

Although Andrews hailed from Canada, the group was originally named Cuba in honour of his mother, who was born in the island nation. The name was later changed to "Air Cuba" for the US release of the group's album.

During the 1990s, Andrews was married to Slowdive vocalist/guitarist Rachel Goswell (their marriage dissolved in 2000). She performed on some of the band's recordings, and Cuba also collaborated with Angie Brown of Bizarre Inc, Shara Nelson, and Mau (alias of Michael Giffts).

Recordings

The group's first single release, "Cross the Line," was called "pretty appealing" in a Times review, which recommended Cuba as "a blistering cure for the summertime blues." Their sole full-length studio album on 4AD, Leap of Faith, was described as an "updated Happy Mondays with the ecstasy-induced excesses" by Canada's major music publication Chart Magazine.

Discography

Albums

• Leap of Faith (4AD CAD9014, 13 September 1999)
  1. "Cross the Line" (featuring Mau)
  2. "Devil's Rock"
  3. "Black Island" (featuring Shara Nelson)
  4. "King of Kelty"
  5. "Starshine" (featuring Angie Brown)
  6. "Peak Flow"
  7. "Winter Hill" (featuring Rachel Goswell)
  8. "Havana" (featuring Mau)
  9. "Hail Mary"
  10. "Urban Light"
  11. "Foxy's Den"
  12. "Fiery Cross"

Singles

• "Urban Light" (4AD TAD8010, 11 May 1998)
  1. "Urban Light" (7:00 PM)
  2. "Urban Light" (12:00 AM)
• "Cross the Line" (4AD BAD8012, 27 July 1998)
  1. "Cross the Line"
  2. "Raise the Alarm"
  3. "Foxy's Den"
• "Havana" (4AD BAD8019, 30 November 1998)
  1. "Havana"
  2. "Leap of Faith"
  3. "Havana" (Daniel Aufbäger Remix)
• "Black Island" (4AD BAD9016, 30 August 1999)
  1. "Black Island"
  2. "Isla Negra"
  3. "Black Island" (Groove Armada's Desert Island Disc)
• "Starshine" (4AD BAD9019, 1 November 1999)
  1. "Starshine" (Edit)
  2. "White Shadow"
  3. "Starshine" (Rae and Christian Remix)

References

General

• Charlie Porter, "Singled Out - Music", The Times (London, England), July 25, 1998, Sec. features, pg. 12.
• "Weekly Reviews of New Releases", Chart, September 7, 1999.

External links

• Air Cuba at Allmusic
• Cuba on 4AD's website
• Cuba fan site