Caribe Debuts Cheap Tapes

HAVANA‹Panama-based Spanish label Caribe Productions has launched a low-price cassette operation that should open up the retail market to most Cubans, who at the moment cannot afford CDs‹which, at $14-$18, cost more than a month's average wage‹or, of course, CD players.
Caribe this past fall began selling its product on cassettes for 20 pesos ($1). The importance is not just the cheap price, but the fact that many Cubans are paid in pesos only and are excluded from the U.S. dollar market. This market was initially intended only for tourists and foreign businesspeople but has grown to include many shops, restaurants, and other leisure points, including music outlets.
Caribe A&R director Seju Monzžn says, "For the first time, a label is bringing new Cuban music to nearly all Cubans, meaning that the young generation will become music consumers for the first time in their lives."
Caribe's product is distributed in 23 countries by EMI Spain, except in the U.S., where it is handled by Blue Note. Caribe artists include Juan Formell Y Los Van Van, NG La Banda, Manol"n, Rojitas Y Su Orquesta, Adalberto Alvarez Y Su Son, Elio Rev Y Su Charangžn, Valent"n Y Su Grupo, and Tamayo Y Su Salsa.