Manolín Doctor de la Salsa

A controversial person, Manuel González Hernández, better known as Manolín el Doctor de la Salsa, is a graduated physician turned singer and composer, who had his first impact as a guest singer with NG La Banda. Despite not having a trained voice, his stage presence and skill as a composer soon won him a place among some of the most important musicians and orchestras on the island.

Toward the end of the 90’s, Manolín was in the top positions in the rankings, his band would sell out wherever it went and he was writing songs for groups such as Charanga Habanera, NG La Banda and Bamboleo. But this was also when his first problems with the Cuban government began. His songs began to take on a more political flavor and he was supporting the rejoining of Cubans in Miami and Cubans on the island. He moved to Miami although he hadn’t asked for asylum.

He returned to Cuba, but this time his musical career was almost non-existent. He then deserted Cuba for good and settled in Miami, from where he tried to rekindle his musical career. In order to do so he added the master conguero Tomasito Cruz (ex Paulito FG) and young timbalero Angel "Pututi II" Arces, who together with drummer Reinier Guerra and keyboardists Eduardo "Chaka" Nápoles and Luis Bu made up an impressive rhythmic base, and could even be considered one of the best Timba groups.