Released in Japan, Russia and some Asian territories! Not usual thing for any of Latvian artists! 　　 　　kuba was founded in the spring of 2001. kuba is Janis Zilde, Mareks Ameriks, Arnis Racinskis, Toms Ostrovskis and Gonzo( Martinez Gonzalez). 　　We should realize that kuba is not just a musical group - it is also similar to a long term project - but not a music project in the traditional sense. There are many arguments and inklings about what kuba is not - for example - a nation, TV show... though there are differences in opinion, it is understood, that these meanings for the word kuba are neither correct or adequate. Variations can be offered, more different than similar, which will at least allow the understanding of desires and the claims of the mentioned subject... five different peoples' understandings of similar and equally valued necessities, ambitions, claims (however you wish to put it) for methods of expression - harmonies, sounds, notes, moods... offering the listener the opportunity to decide, trying to not affirm on their own and not force concrete opinions and emotions... 　　The characterization of their musical style does not have the same meaning as it has been labeled. For example, labels come from the press, who write about music's topicality or a record company signing a new artist, etc. It is known, that kuba is not simply just jazz, rock, pop, etc. However, it could be any of the mentioned styles and it could easily fit onto well-known music terminology shelves. Perhaps that begs the logical question - what is it? If it is not a re-interpretation and has nothing original, then it seems absurd to offer some already known note or harmony, which is similar to many things that have come before. It is absurd to try to understand the same by just giving it some complicated formulation and a pile of self-invented terms. 　　Creation... the necessity was an unconscious, though also adequate, relationship with the current environment of Latvian music. The projection of known attitudes in the socially active section of the community is inertia and a lack of understanding of the value of synthesis of different and familiar music. The initiator was Arnis - in the summer of 2000, he had the idea for this project. The lineup not being clear, Arnis called Jānis and agreed on a joint rehearsal. Toms and Mareks also came to the first rehearsal. At the start, only a few satellites LV b-sides and a few of Arnis's ideas were played. Later, Arnis invited Gonzo, and this moment can be considered the birth of the group. 　　All of the band members have had previous experience playing in other bands prior to the formation of kuba (some still are!) These were mostly post rock music bands, as well as pop, electronic, and triphop projects. For example, Arnis was the soloist and songwriter for dull doll, Toms - satellites LV and mofo 76, Janis - satellites LV and the founder of pilots buda, kuba's drummer Mareks founded the group zalas saules and withcut, and Gonzalez - lolitas brinumputns, T-plox, spinners, sirke and was the initiator of some solo projects. They decided to put some ideas together, and tried to offer a slightly different sense and take on the complexity of sound. 　　In 2001, they also participated in some of the major festivals in Latvia. For example: Liepajas Dzintars 2001, the Trincstock festival and Bildes 2001. That year, they played in almost every well-known club in Riga (Metro, Casablanca, DIZZI, Saksofons, etc.) at least twice. 　　Some of their musical inspirations are Herbert, Tortoise, Steve Reich, Burt Bacharach, Curtis Mayfield, Marvin Gaye, also some other postrock bands and soul music of the 60s and 70s. 　　The name of the group itself comes from the film "cube" . 　　Kuba is... interpretations of many themes - not to whittle away at each style's characteristic nuances, but to directly accent the finer moods, notes, and harmonies. It is possible to offer an attitude in an understandable form, not pretending to be pretentious, allowing the listener to choose for themselves their own recognizable, acceptable scale. 　　The group's album - 15 episodes of kuba, released in May of 2002, has 15 tracks, as well as one hidden track. 　　At this time, the album is only available in CD format, and comes in a special Digipack case. The album was recorded in the new Radio SWH recording studio together with engineer Andris Grinbergs, one of the most respected sound engineers in Latvia. Grinbergs has recorded such famous groups like Livi, as well as the majority of the REMIX album. 　　Guest musicians on the album include trumpeter Gunārs Rozenbergs and saxophonist Mikus Solovejs. Linda Kalnina performed the vocal parts on the song "Episode 6/ Rua Escondida". All the songs, except for "Episode 6/ Rua Escondida" were written by members of the band Jānis Zilde, Arnis Racinskis, Toms Ostrovskis, Mareks Ameriks un Martinez Gonzalez, with help from Mikus Solovejs.