When Mike Keat created Miguel Mantovani, the shameless, moustachioed impresario at the core of the Cuban Brothers, he had no idea that the character would become his career. Two decades on, Miguel and his suspect sidekicks are renowned the world over for their party-starting skills, risqu? sketches, B-boy moves and funk-fuelled music. From sold-out tours, festival spots and support slots for rock royalty to crazy cabaret club nights, film roles and fashion shows, The Cuban Brothers’ unparalleled act is now ingrained in pop culture. Everywhere from the Far East to South America, from Brisbane to Bahrain, from the Gumball rally to the F1 circuit has fallen for the Hawaiian shirts-sporting crew and their outrageous, X-rated antics. Currently celebrating their 20th anniversary, it’s long been said that Cubans sing when they speak, dance when they walk, and woo with a love song, so who better to compile a collection of classic funk, disco, hip hop, soul and jazz tunes, than the fabulous Cuban Brothers? ‘La Familia’, released 24th August via Sunday Best, features a brand new Cubans track, ‘I Hate Hate’, alongside such classics by Roy Ayers, Bill Withers, Erykah Badu, A Tribe Called Quest, Children of Zeus, D’Angelo and many more. From the brassy, funky sounds of D’Angelo’s Sugah Daddy’ and the hip hop flavas of ‘Check the Rhime’ by A Tribe Called Quest, to the all-out disco of Shalamar’s ‘Take That to the Bank’ and much sampled The Emotions track ‘Blind Alley’, The Cuban Brothers have an impeccable taste in music. Although ultimately a comedy act, they’re simultaneously serious musicians who have played with Prince, been on the road with James Brown and supported Fatboy Slim, Chuck Berry and De La Soul. This year you’ll see them perform with a 12-piece band, half of whom previously played with Amy Winehouse, and a rotating roll-call of special guests on board to help them turn 20, including The Average White Band’s Hamish Stuart and the Jungle Brothers’ Baby Bam
