Air Cuba

1998–2000/1

4AD

Christopher Andrews
Ashley Bates

Background[edit]

The group was formed as Cuba in 1998 by Christopher Andrews and Ashley Bates, formerly the drummer of Chapterhouse. Originally from Canada, Andrews named the band "Cuba" in honour of his heritage. The group self-financed two singles, "Havana" and "Fiery Cross", which were released by 4AD. The following year they changed their name to Air Cuba and released their only album, Leap of Faith.[1]


Cuba collaborated with Angie Brown of Bizarre Inc, Shara Nelson of Massive Attack, and Mau (alias of Michael Giffts), formerly of Earthling.[2]

Recordings[edit]

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 Chart Magazine.[3]

Leap of Faith (4AD CAD9014, 13 September 1999)

  1. "Cross the Line" (featuring Mau)
  2. "Devil's Rock"
  3. "Black Island" (featuring )
  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"

Shara Nelson

Charlie Porter, "Singled Out - Music", (London, England), 25 July 1998, Sec. features, pg. 12.

The Times

"Weekly Reviews of New Releases", , 7 September 1999.

Chart

at AllMusic

Air Cuba

Cuba on 4AD's website

Cuba fan site