Grupo Moncada is an album by the Cuban nueva trova ensemble Grupo Moncada, released on EGREM's Areito label as part of the "Credenciales" series showcasing Cuban music. Named after the Moncada Barracks whose assault on July 26, 1953 launched the Cuban Revolution, Grupo Moncada became one of the most important nueva trova groups, combining traditional Cuban musical forms with contemporary political consciousness and poetic lyrics that addressed social justice, Latin American solidarity, and revolutionary themes.
Cover designer and illustrator Pablo Labañino employs a dramatic composition with vibrant golden-orange color fields. A central black and white photograph by Fernando Gómez shows a smiling group member standing in grassland, while Labañino's stylized illustrations frame the scene—hand-drawn grasses, clouds, and organic shapes rendered in blue-gray and black tones create a naturalistic border effect suggesting the Cuban countryside. A prominent red star appears in the upper right corner, symbolizing revolutionary commitment. The "credenciales" logo (featuring a star within concentric circles) appears in the upper left, identifying this as part of EGREM's important series documenting nueva trova and politically engaged music.
The detailed track listing reveals Grupo Moncada's commitment to pan-Latin American musical solidarity:
Cara A:
- "Credenciales" (Text: version of poem by Héctor de Arturo, Music: Grupo Moncada)
- "Son Venezolano" (Text: Nicolás Guillén, Music: Grupo Moncada)
- "Caimán en el Guayabal" - Son anónimo, version by Grupo Moncada based on folklore from Isla de Pinos
- "Chile" (Text: Nicolás Guillén, Music: Grupo Moncada)
- "En busca de la vida" (Grupo Moncada)
- "Elegía" (from "Canción del Moncada," Grupo Moncada)
Cara B:
- "La mujer hoy" (Women Today - Grupo Moncada)
- "Las tristes herramientas del recuerdo" (The Sad Tools of Memory - Music: Grupo Moncada)
- "El pasito 'e la bibiagua, señores" - Grupo Moncada version of folklore from Isla de Pinos
- "Huaynos" (Instrumental) - Andean folk music
- "Chamamé a Cuba - Prisioneros del penal de Rawson, Argentina" (Argentine chamamé dedicated to prisoners)
- "Por todas esas cosas" (Text: Héctor de Arturo, Music: Grupo Moncada)
Particularly significant is "Chamamé a Cuba - Prisioneros del penal de Rawson, Argentina," which demonstrates Grupo Moncada's solidarity with political prisoners held by Argentina's military dictatorship. The Rawson Prison in Patagonia held many leftist political prisoners during Argentina's "Dirty War," and this track represents Cuban artists' commitment to highlighting human rights abuses across Latin America.
Produced by Germán Pinella and recorded by engineer Pedro A. Téllez at EGREM studios, the album showcases the technical excellence of Cuban recording facilities. The red Areito label features the distinctive Taíno mask logo and proclaims "LA MUSICA CUBANA ALREDEDOR DEL MUNDO" (Cuban Music Around the World), emphasizing the international reach of revolutionary Cuban music. Grupo Moncada represented nueva trova's second generation, helping establish the movement as a pan-Latin American phenomenon addressing imperialism, social justice, and cultural identity.