Art sometimes has mysterious ways of linking its expressions. Perhaps it's enough for the muses to summon magic for the miracle of creativity to flow.

Then, at the hands of experienced masters, alchemy is revealed: music and painting in a single rhythm.

Much of this mix is embedded in the project "Boleros Cubanos and More," a collaboration lead by David Perkoff, a musician and producer from the United States, alongside performers and creators from Cuba.

Comprised of 23 tracks by "iconic composers," this album will be featured at the Cubadisco 2025 International Fair, scheduled for May 18-25 in Havana.

The work also features the uniqueness of accompanying its visual design with works by the visual artist Manglar (Ramón Rodríguez). CubaSí speaks with the painter about the details of this aesthetic combination.

As a background, Manglar recalls the experience with a first single—and also featuring the American flutist—dedicated to children, whose graphic design featured an engraving made by his wife, Mary Cary Díaz, and their daughter, Daniela. "That is, Perkoff was already very familiar with our artistic work."

Under the name "Playing and Jazzing, from a Cuban Garden," it represented a novel and engaging approach, combining Cuban and foreign rhythms that were uncommon in children's settings. Among the genres included mambo, Latin jazz, cha-cha-chá...,” Manglar explained.

Clearly caught up in his self-confessed admiration for the fertile roots and traditions that make this island nation famous, Perkoff sought inspiration once again to conceive other sonic and cultural experiments. Indeed, such daring endeavors could not be without a touch of painting, which adds extra value to the visual appeal of the product.

Therefore, the return to the creative art of the Rodríguez Díaz family had to be an endogenous feature of his recording project. On this occasion, Perkoff opted for original works regarded by Manglar using the technique of collages on cardboard for the cover and interiors of the album.

Musicians like Bobby Carcassés, Emilia Morales, Milada Milhet, Félix Valoy Jr, Freddy Vera, Tony Lazcano, Belinda Guerra, Carlos Castañel and David Perkoff himself lend their voices and melody to unforgettable ballads. Among them “Historia de amor”, “Contigo en la distancia”, Plazos traicioneros”, “Lágrimas negras”, “Quizás, quizás”, “Obsesión”.

With the general direction and production of David Perkoff, the album features choirs, flutes, guitar, percussion, piano, and flugelhorn. This release harmonizes "a sincere celebration of timeless songs," while evoking "authors and composers with their anthological Cuban, Latin American, and international lyrical and musical presence."

Described as elegant and exquisite, "Cuban Boleros and More" already enjoys the privilege of rewarding a relationship of "friendship and shared love" for the excellence of Cuba's sound heritage. And where Manglar's pictorial work sings its own symphony.

Translated by Amilkal Labañino / CubaSí Translation Staff