ENJOY some Cuban spices without having to go anywhere near the brothers Castro.

Francisco Mela, born in 1968 in Bayamo, Cuba, was a renowned Latin jazz drummer in his native land before moving to Boston in 1998.

Then he became a renowned drummer, composer and bandleader in the States. Mela will celebrate his new CD, “Melao” (the Spanish word for syrup produced from sugar cane), Monday at 8 and 10 p.m. at the Blue Note (131 W. Third St., at Sixth Avenue; [212] 475-8592). He will have a horn line that includes legendary altoist/clarinetist Paquito D’rivera (who was raised in Havana), tenor sax player Mark Turner and saxophonist Joe Lovano. It’s a top-tier group all around, and also features pianist Jason Moran, guitarist Nir Felder and bassist Peter Slavov. Tickets: $15 at a table and $10 at the bar.