Cubanocast

I was listening to "Quimbombo" by Machito, remembering that a few other songs had "quim" in it, and realizing that I had no idea what it meant. I looked it up. According to the Reverso dictionary, "quim" means "coño," which, if you hear it and it's directed at you, means that you've pissed off some Cuban or Spanish dude (or a very unladylike Spanish or Cuban woman).

"Quimba" is "sandal," in parts of the Caribbean and "debt" in the Andes.

The definition that makes most sense in an Afro-Latin musical context, however, is as part of the name of an Afro-Brazilian religion called "Quimbanda".

OK. On to the music. The podcast is "Quimbara" by Celia Cruz. It's one of her best sixties, post-Sonora Matancera songs. It takes a while to get going, but really sizzles once the chorus pushes her into an improvisational, son style.

Follow up:

Greatest Hits

The next song by Richie Ray and Bobby Cruz, called "Quim Bon Bori," is a well-played call-and-response Salsa. It mentions Celia Cruz.

Que Vuelva La Musica

Machito's up next with "Quimbombo." Quimbombo is a "pork and okra stew with plantains." You can impress your multicultural friends by preparing this recipe. There's a group called "Quimbombo." I've never heard them and don't have a clue about their diet.

Latin Lounge Jazz - Havana

Moving on, the seminal Cuban band, Conjunto Casino (not to be confused with their shoreline cousins, Casino de la Playa), with "Rumba Quimbumba." The lyrics make no sense to me either; they're probably just goofing off.

Rumba Quimbumba 1941-1946

I searched Amazon and found a Portuguese (I think) song with "Quim" in the title. Pretty good.

"L'Avi Quim No Va Anar A Cuba" by Veus de Basalu':

Cada Veu Un Petó

There's a French song called "Carta al Quim" by Fum de Celtas. Interesting.

Fum De Celtas

He could be writing to the Portugese football (that's what Europeans call "soccer") player Quim.

Quim Barreiros is a Portuguese singer of a style called "Pimba." I like it! His music reminds me of Cumbia, both in its delightfully uncomplicated and joyous rhythms and its double entendre lyrics (which signal a decent society, as they still feel that they have to cover it up). One of his hits is "Bacalhau a Portuguesa."

O Melhor De Quim Barreiros

Bacalau (codfish) being a delicacy Portugal shares with Cuba.

"Bacalau con Pan" by Irakere.

Bacalao Con Pan by J.T. McDaniel

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