Led by Conor Guilfoyle, Havana' Che is an 11-piece Cuban salsa band, complete with three Cuban singers. They may be newly-formed, but they already form a tight, confident ensemble.

They played outdoors at the Civic Offices Park on Fish amble Street for about an hour, bringing a taste of Cuba to the Dublin lunchtime audience.

Much of the music centres on the interplay between the vocalists and the wind section (two trumpets and two saxophones): salsa vocals are throwaway, at times closer to speech than song, while the wind parts are brash and assertive. Songs were skilfully arranged to bring out this contrast. Tony Oscar tended to lead the vocals, but much of the singing was done in unison.

Conor Guilfoyle (drums) and Nigel Flegg (congas) provided an elaborate rhythmic backdrop without ever sounding too dominant. Cuban pianist Cuco Castellano grounded the music with repetitive syncopated patterns.

There were few solos, and when they did come they were brief and to the point. Trumpeter Mark Bradley made his mark on Xlomara, while Castellano moved into chromatic territory on Sandun guera. For the most part, Havana' Che's music is focused on the ensemble rather than on individuals.

The band were at their must ebullient on the final song, Xlomara, where muscular brass riffs alternated with relaxed vocals.

Havana' Che begin a series of weekly Saturday night concerts at HQ, Middle Abbey Street, from this Saturday.