Behind the scenes on the Sly single

The Sly single was launched at the beginning of this week; I thought I would take the time to go through some of the names of the people, outside the band, who are credited in the recording.

Jerry Boys produced, engineered, and mixed the two tracks that were recorded at Estudio 101, Egrem Studios in Cuba. Who's he? He is co-owner of Livingston Studios in London, where the tracks were mixed (interview here). He's been involved with a band or two in his time - see here for a bit of a list - including The Beatles, Bjork, REM, and Beuna Vista Social Club.

Buena Vista Social Club is a name that crops up again and again in this context - they recorded at Egrem (here is Jerry Boys talking about that) and Ry Cooder worked with Jerry Boys as well. Also, some of the musicians from the world-famous Cuban group turn up on The Sly as well:

Jesus Ramos "Aguaje" is the trombonist and conductor of the Buena Vista Social Orchestra. There's a low-quality photo of him here.

Yaure Muniz (incorrectly called Yauren on the Sly single) is a trumpeter and member of the Afro-Cuban All Stars (with Ruben Gonzalez) and played on The Buena Vista Social Club: The Next Generation.

Javier R Zalba Juarez has more to recomend him than an excellent name. He is a Buena Vista saxophonist, and has recorded on various Buena Vista albums (recorded by Jerry Boys) playing soprano, alto, and baritone saxophones.

So there's some star-power behind the scenes, and lots of good material for new (think: international) audiences to latch on to and link TCE with the recent success of Buena Vista Social Club. This kind of production - internationally-renowned producer and engineer, famous studio and famouse guest artists - really makes it obvious that the band wants to make a big splash overseas with this CD.