Heaven (76)

Back in the early 60's and continuing into the early 70's, newly arrived Cuban immigrants and the sons and daughters of immigrants following the 1959 Cuban embargo, descended upon the shores of South Florida and, like all immigrants - brought with them the tastes and sounds of their culture. One place in particular became a small city comprised solely of Cuban immigrants and their American cousins on the outskirts of Miami in a town called Hialeah. A burgeoning music scene thrived within the city limits comprised of already established older musicians schooled in the varied rhythms of Cuba, and their sons who immersed themselves in the sounds of American rock, soul and funk. Cuban music bands starting springing up all over the place - filling VFW halls, hotels, restaurants, and beach resorts. A slew of rock and funk bands began to emerge from the garages of Hialeah with names like Coke, Pearly Queen, Wild Wind, Signs of the Zodiac, Mantrap, Clockwork and many of them became quite popular, attracting large crowds at increasing larger venues. Many of them released LPs on the local Sound Triangle label, and they began to get radio play. One of the most popular of these Cuban rock bands was a band named Heaven who had a very charismatic lead singer named Rafael Armenteros. The band was just beginning to record their first album when the unimaginable happened. At the height of their popularity, Rafael passed away leaving his fans saddened and stunned. Of their studio sessions, only four songs were completed, three of which were written by Rafael (Wafy) Armenteros. Presented here for the first time are those legendary sessions, the only recorded work of the short lived but extremely popular band.