For those who have not heard his Latin-infused solo debut Perfectamundo, Billy Gibbons offers this warning: "For the uninitiated, I'll leave it with one word: Beware."
Gibbons’ musical departure from rock band ZZ Top mixes Cuban rhythms with hip-hop and blues, congas, bongos and the Hammond organ.
“You can mosh to it or mambo to it,” says the 65-year-old guitarist and vocalist.
What was the recording process like for Perfectamundo?
It was basically gathering a bunch a very talented guys and gals in the studio to make a lot of loud noise ... We were just making experiments in music that just happen to have an Afro-Cuban twist.
How do your ZZ Top bandmates feel about your solo effort?
ZZ Top is three guys and two of those three guys are sitting back smiling. They’re going: “Yeah, you go out on the road! You take a new band out there. We’re gonna have a nice holiday.” ... By the time we have some breathing room (from the solo album), I’ll be able to go back into the studio with Frank Beard, and the man with no beard, Dusty Hill.
How have you managed to stay together for more than 45 years?
We’re often asked: “Well, how does it work? How can you possibly keep ZZ Top going for this long? It’s longer than most marriages.” At the same time, we all concur that we enjoy getting to do what we go get to do. No. 2 is we don’t know which guy is going to make the first mistake, so that keeps us on our toes. It’s a constant challenge.
What do you think is the future of blues?
It’s in a state of flux. It’s changing. The originators may be gone, but the legacy and effect of what they invented has ignited a new generation of admirers.
artslife@thenational.ae
Sarfira
Director: Sudha Kongara Prasad
Starring: Akshay Kumar, Radhika Madan, Paresh Rawal
Rating: 2/5
Specs
Power train: 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 and synchronous electric motor
Max power: 800hp
Max torque: 950Nm
Transmission: Eight-speed auto
Battery: 25.7kWh lithium-ion
0-100km/h: 3.4sec
0-200km/h: 11.4sec
Top speed: 312km/h
Max electric-only range: 60km (claimed)
On sale: Q3
Price: From Dh1.2m (estimate)
In the Land of Saints and Sinners
Director: Robert Lorenz
Starring: Liam Neeson, Kerry Condon, Jack Gleeson, Ciaran Hinds
Rating: 2/5
Pakistanis at the ILT20
The new UAE league has been boosted this season by the arrival of five Pakistanis, who were not released to play last year.
Shaheen Afridi (Desert Vipers)
Set for at least four matches, having arrived from New Zealand where he captained Pakistan in a series loss.
Shadab Khan (Desert Vipers)
The leg-spin bowling allrounder missed the tour of New Zealand after injuring an ankle when stepping on a ball.
Azam Khan (Desert Vipers)
Powerhouse wicketkeeper played three games for Pakistan on tour in New Zealand. He was the first Pakistani recruited to the ILT20.
Mohammed Amir (Desert Vipers)
Has made himself unavailable for national duty, meaning he will be available for the entire ILT20 campaign.
Imad Wasim (Abu Dhabi Knight Riders)
The left-handed allrounder, 35, retired from international cricket in November and was subsequently recruited by the Knight Riders.
COMPANY PROFILE
Company name: Switch Foods
Started: 2022
Founder: Edward Hamod
Based: Abu Dhabi, UAE
Industry: Plant-based meat production
Number of employees: 34
Funding: $6.5 million
Funding round: Seed
Investors: Based in US and across Middle East
The biog
Name: Sari Al Zubaidi
Occupation: co-founder of Cafe di Rosati
Age: 42
Marital status: single
Favourite drink: drip coffee V60
Favourite destination: Bali, Indonesia
Favourite book: 100 Years of Solitude
WHY AAYAN IS 'PERFECT EXAMPLE'
David White might be new to the country, but he has clearly already built up an affinity with the place.
After the UAE shocked Pakistan in the semi-final of the Under 19 Asia Cup last month, White was hugged on the field by Aayan Khan, the team’s captain.
White suggests that was more a sign of Aayan’s amiability than anything else. But he believes the young all-rounder, who was part of the winning Gulf Giants team last year, is just the sort of player the country should be seeking to produce via the ILT20.
“He is a delightful young man,” White said. “He played in the competition last year at 17, and look at his development from there till now, and where he is representing the UAE.
“He was influential in the U19 team which beat Pakistan. He is the perfect example of what we are all trying to achieve here.
“It is about the development of players who are going to represent the UAE and go on to help make UAE a force in world cricket.”
