My ongoing search for the very finest free (and legal) music downloads led me to Calabash Music (a site which commenter Jena6 told us about 10 days ago. Thanks, Jena6!).Aside from being a great place to sample and purchase international music, Calabash offers one free MP3 download per week. All you have to do is register with the site. (Go ahead. Don’t cost you nothing.)
This week’s free track is a vintage jam from Irakere, the legendary Cuban band whose alumni include Paquito D’Rivera and Arturo Sandoval. It’s called “Bacalao con Pan” (“Codfish with Bread”). And when you name a song after food, it damn-sure better be funky.
This nasty groove was written by bandleader/pianist Chucho Valdés (pictured above). You must move quickly to cop it, because Calabash’s free downloads are only active for one week per song. And this week is almost half over already.
After you’ve registered at Calabash, here’s how to get that FREE Irakere track: Click here, scroll down to the button that says “Add to My Music,” click it, then follow the next set of instructions.
Whoa, Dave... that’s a lotta damn changes to go through for one free MP3. Is this “Bacalao con Whatever” worth it??You tell me. I’m streaming “Bacalao con Pan” on my Vox blog; click here to test-drive it.
Thanks for the Calabash Music shoutout, UBM!
ReplyDeleteThe first free mp3 I downloaded was The Refugee Allstars' "Soda Soap." I've purchased several gift certificates since; I'm so hooked.
I've discovered artists I would not have known about otherwise (like Zuco 103, Zola, K-Melia, Unathi...)and different genres (kwaito, kuduro, qawwali...) even a Turkish reggaeton joint!
So many songs, so little space on my hard drive. :-/
This is pretty incredible, UBM.
ReplyDeleteLast week, you hopefully introduced several folks to Escovedo, one of my own faves ("Castanets" is such a great rocker but "Tugboat" off the _With These Hands_ album still haunts me, even after all these years).
This week, you're turning me onto a cool new sound and a possible future favorite.
That's cool. Thanks.
A belated "you're welcome" to you, JPM.
ReplyDeleteJena6, I'm forever in your debt for introducing me to Calabash Music. I'm gonna try their embeddable music player on the blog to highlight some of my favorite South African music.