Air Cuba were a Big Beat superduo formed by Christopher Andrews and former Chapterhouse drummer Ashley Bates. The group was known for their club performances in Europe and recordings for 4AD Records. Their sound demonstrated a range of electronic, pop and rock influences and they were frequently compared with Primal Scream.

Background

Although Andrews hailed from Canada, the group was originally named Cuba in honor of his mother, who was born in the island nation. The name was later changed to Air Cuba for the US release of the group's music.

During the 1990s, Andrews was married to Slowdive lead vocalist, Rachel Goswell (their marriage dissolved in 2000). She performed on some of the band's recordings and Air Cuba also collaborated with Angie Brown of Bizarre Inc.

Recordings

The group's very first short release, Cross the Line, was called "pretty appealing" in a Times review, which recommended Air Cuba as "a blistering cure for the summertime blues." Their full length on 4AD, "Leap of Faith", was described as an "updated Happy Mondays with the ecstasy-induced excesses" by Canada's major music publication Chart Magazine. [1].

Other links

• Air Cuba at All Music Guide
• Band background at 4AD
• Cuba fan site

References

• Charlie Porter, "Singled Out -Music", The Times (London, England), July 25, 1998, Sec. features, pg. 12.
• "Weekly Reviews of New Releases", Chart Magazine, September 7, 1999.

Discography

• Cross the line (1998)
• Leap of Faith (1999)