BEST OF BOTH WORLDS CUBAN BAND ORISHAS BLENDS TOGETHER TRADITIONAL TUNES WITH A RAP BEAT.

Byline: Sandra Barrera Staff Writer

With Cuban music on the rise, thanks to the still-thriving ``Buena Vista Social Club'' craze and hip-hop seeping more and more into the mainstream, comes a band that combines both worlds.

The members of Orishas call what they do ``rap Cubano.''

This funky concoction of beats and streetwise lyrics is already striking a chord in the band's native Cuba and in its new home, France. Tonight, its members will see how it fares in America with a show at the Conga Room in support of its recent stateside release ``A Lo Cubano.''

Orishas lead singer Roldan says he is confident it will.

``People have this image of Cuban music based solely on what they've heard,'' he says. ``That presents a challenge for us. But we've always been a band with a lot of faith.''

Americans have been accepting of other forms of rap hybrids from reggae, tropical and Mexican folklore bands. L.A.'s own Ozomatli is a prime example.

But Orishas is the first to bring Cuban rap to the United States on a major label debut.

``A Lo Cubano'' (released on Universal/Surco Records) is no ``Buena Vista Social Club.'' The most gringo-friendly song is the hip-hop version of ``Chan Chan'' called ``537 C.U.B.A.'' The title comes from the international dialing code for Cuba. As for the remaining 14 tracks?

According to Roldan, it's hip-hop that focuses on the difficulties facing a younger generation of Cubans trying to get ahead and songs about mothers trying to raise, educate and feed their children.

Tom Schnabel, author and host of KCRW's world music program ``Cafe L.A.'' who snatched up a copy of the import a few months ago, adds that Orishas' lyrics require an understanding of Spanish.

``I love the 'Chan Chan' version but some of the other stuff, I think, I would have to know Spanish to really appreciate,'' he says.

Martin Fleischmann, co-owner of the Conga Room who booked Orishas, agrees that because there's no English on the record it could present a barrier for non-Spanish speakers.

But give it time, he says.

``This is a movement out of the rut, and as a venue, we're always looking for the next thing moving the music forward,'' Fleischmann says. ``Frankly, I think it has a lot of commercial potential.''

ORISHAS

Where: Conga Room, 5364 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles.

When: 10 tonight.

Tickets: $15 and $35. Call [phone].

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Cuban band Orishas will perform tonight at the Conga Room on Wilshire Boulevard.

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