Only eight months have passed since Cimafunk’s last performance in Los Angeles, but it has felt like an eternity for his fans. Last time he was seen in the area, he opened for Chucho Valdes at the Hollywood Bowl, which was a delicacy for any Cuban music aficionado. There is something addictive in his afro-cuban funk blend. If you’ve ever attended one of his shows, you know how special of a treat it is and that it won’t be the last time you go see him perform. On May 31st, the Funktastic tour stopped by the iconic Roxy Theater. People in the crowd had travelled from as far as New Orleans to get a taste of his funky medicine. A remedy for the soul. Cimafunk & la Tribu bring sunshine in their suitcases and positive vibes everywhere they go.
No opening act was listed on the bill, but Machete (percussions) was seen in the DJ booth, warming up the crowd with a mix of funk classics (like Kool & The Gang) and some more recent latin tracks. A combination that essentially summed up what was about to happen. Before the show even started the entire venue was dancing already.
The lights turned on for the band to get on stage at 9pm and they opened with “Caramelo” from 2021 album El Alimento. If you’ve listened to Cimafunk’s albums and think you might enjoy it in concert, be aware that your expectations will be surpassed. Significantly. The songs are extended with instrumental breaks that allow for each musician to shine one after another.
The bass and drums/percussion combo provided a groovy base throughout the whole show that kept the crowd dancing. The horn section added a big band-funk accent, like punctuation ending every phrase. Another element that added to the festive feel of the performance was the fact that the nine musicians on stage participated in the singing, and on occasion partially took over the lead singing, for example on “Beat Con Flow”.
During the instrumental breaks, Cimafunk remained dancing on the stage and interacting with the band like a modern times James Brown. The band played “La Papa” from the 2020 Cun Cun Pra EP, amongst other highlights of the show. For a second, the energy went down for Cimafunk to deliver a raw and powerful rendition of “Salvaje”. As it seems to be their habits, the band invited the audience to join them on stage to dance on “Me Voy”, a personal favorite from 2017 album Terapia which closed the set.
Cimafunk and his tribe are touring the US and Canada for the rest of June, before extending the festivities all around the world. If you get a chance to see Cimafunk live, do not miss this incredible experience. I can guarantee that it is exactly what your doctor would order anyway.
CIMAFUNK
Photos + Review by Manuel Gay | Exclusively for Music, Why Not!
