Havana 3 A M Havana 3 A.M. CD - Import

Digitally remastered edition of Havana 3A.M.'s self titled 1991 album. The band was formed by ex- Clash bassist Paul Simonon, described as "the coolest man ever to strap on a bass guitar". The album conjures up a blend of Latino flavors built on the solid base of Rockabilly. Their sound evokes images of Spaghetti Westerns, 1950's America and the heyday of Cuba's capital Havana...all with a contemporary twist. Features 12 tracks including the single "Reach The Rock" and other favorites "Joyride", "Hey Amigo", "The Hardest Game" and "Blue Gene Vincent". The CD booklet includes all the original artwork and exclusive live photos of the band. Cherry Red. 2008.

Havana 3 A.M. is the brainchild of Paul Simonon, legendary Clash bassist. This self-titled album mashes together Latin roots and ducktailed attitude in invigoratingly retro fashion.
Havana 3 A.M.: Paul Simonon (vocals, harmonica, bass guitar).
Personnel: Gary Myrick (vocals, guitar, acoustic guitar); Nigel Dixon (vocals); Gus Andrews (horns); Derek Holt, Greg Holt (harpsichord); Travis Williams, Trevor Williams (drums, percussion).
Photographer: Per Ake Warn.
Released in 1991, HAVANA 3.A.M. was the debut album from the band of the same name that consisted of ex-Clash bassist Paul Simonon, guitarist Gary Myrick (of the Figures), and vocalist Nigel Dixon (of Whirlwind). Havana 3 A.M. play a rootsy brand of rock that draws on punk, rockabilly, Latin forms, reggae, and select New Wave elements. There's a tense, pumping energy through most of the disc, staring with the opener, "Joyride," and while the disc isn't essential, it's a fun listen and should be of interest to fans of the band members' previous projects.
The self-titled effort by Paul Simonon's band is not much like the Clash, and also not nearly as memorable as the Clash. Actually, Simonon is just one of the team, the material written in collaboration with Gary Myrick and Nigel Dixon, with the lead vocals taken by Dixon. As the title might lead you to believe, they do integrate a good amount of Latin influences, though it's not dominant. The guitars often have a rockabilly twang, and the vocals have a muted sense of anthemic urgency. The Clash influence does become obvious when they get into their occasional, slightly reggae-ish beats. There's a lot going on here in terms of rockabilly, Latin, spaghetti Western, and straightforward new wave rock influences mingling. There isn't much going on as far as interesting songs go, though, which makes it an inconsequential album. ~ Richie Unterberger

Rolling Stone (4/4/91) - "...fuses Latin, reggae and roots-rock influences into an appealing sound all its own..."
Q (2/02, p.122) - 3 stars out of 5 - "...In a cloud of Brylcreem, quiffs and songs about Gene Vincent...The music divided its time between '50s ramalama, spaghetti western nuances and lyrics about stealing cars..."