Mexican guitar duo Rodrigo y Gabriela are making a welcome return to London next week as part of their nine-date European tour, which will then see them heading over to North America for a month. Joining them on stage at Brixton Academy next Friday is C.U.B.A, a13-piece Cuban orchestra.
Having gained popularity playing bars and pubs in Dublin last decade, the double-act have since sold over 1.2m records worldwide.
Their latest long-player, Area 52, was produced by London-born Grammy winner, Peter Asher, and came out last month to some great reviews. The pair's ever-growing global fan base seems to go hand in hand with their burgeoning critical acclaim.
On Area 52, Rodrigo and Gabriela have re-swizzled nine classics from their back catalogue with C.U.B.A. The arrangements on the record were done by London-based pianist, composer and arranger Alex Wilson and it basically sounds like a salad of latin, jazz and, erm... metal. You can have a listen to the first single from the album, Juan Loco here.
After playing five sold-out shows at Shepherds Bush back in 2010, Rodrigo and Gabriela famously had to take a break from touring due to Gabriela hurting her right hand and arm (a stress injury attributed to her percussive guitar-playing). It's nice, therefore, to see them back.
For more details of the show head over to Rodrigo y Gabriela's website.
