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| The Cuban Music Store |
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A Lo Cubano
Orishas
While North American rap drowns in its own clichés, international
artists are invigorating the genre with their own musical
traditions. The Orishas, a Cuban group based in France, use
Afro-Cuban religion to summon the spirit of hip-hop. Named
for gods of Santeria, they came together in 1998 when members
Yotuel and Ruzzo hooked up with Roldan and Flaco-Pro (a veteran
of Sergeant Garcia) through a cultural exchange program between
French and Cuban rappers. Collaborating with French hip-hop
producer Miko Niko, they bring the attitude of Havana streets
to the rest of the world, appealing to the Buena Vista Social
Club crowd as well as the hip-hop heads. On their debut, A
lo Cubano, the song "537 C.U.B.A." (their remake
of Compay Segundo's "Chan Chan") gives new meaning
to the term "old school." And the sound of sacred
Santeria beats and traditional son weaving through sharp-edged
lyrical attacks with groove-heavy bass and drum tracks on
tunes like "Represent," "Atención,"
and "Atrevido" make for a cool joyride through the
back streets of Havana
Excerpt taken from Amazon.com´s Editorial Review. |
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Bossa Cubana
Los Zafiros
"Cuban doo-wop" is good shorthand
for the sound of this enormously appealing quintet. But Bossa
Cubana, an exhumation of 17 tracks by '60s stars Los Zafiros,
is even more unpredictable than that phrase would leave you
to believe. The music here carries echoes of everything from
Beny More (sans horn section) to Little Anthony and the Imperials,
while often sounding like a secret influence on Chris Isaak.
Los Zafiros are at their most affecting when wailing and harmonizing
over slow-dance tempos; listen to their Spanish translation
of "My Prayer" ("Mi Oracion"), and you'll
never hear the Platters quite the same way again. |
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Buena Vista Social Club
Ry Cooder, Buena Vista Social Club
Ry Cooder's name has helped bring attention
to this session, but it's the veteran Cuban son musicians
who make this album really special. Reminiscent of Ellington
in its scope and sense of hushed romanticism, Buena Vista
Social Club is that rare meld of quietude and intensity; while
the players sound laid-back, they're putting forth very alive
music, a reminder that aging doesn't mean taking to bed. Barbarito
Torres's laoud solo on "El Cuarto de Tula" is both
more blinding and more tasteful than any guitar showcase on
any recent rock album; a quote from "Stormy Weather"
and some very distinct parallels to Hawaiian styles remind
us of why it's called "world music." --Rickey Wright
Excerpt taken from Amazon.com´s Editorial Review. |
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Lo Mejor de la Vida
Compay Segundo
The 94-year-old Cuban guitarist and singer
introduced to much of the world on Ry Cooder's Buena Vista
Social Club, is back with his own album. While Segundo uses
his own group here, the disc has the same combination of delicate
acoustic guitars, complex Afrocaribbean rhythms, and relaxed,
impromptu feel as Buena Vista. Segundo has chosen songs from
his first heyday in the 1920s and 1930s, and perfectly captures
their classic flavor without making them sound like museum
pieces. While less varied than the all-star Cooder project,
the album has lead vocals by several legendary Cuban singers,
occasional, understated horns, and surprisingly appropriate
guest shots by the revolutionary bard Silvio Rodriguez and
flamenco guitarist Raimundo Amador. Segundo lets the guests
shine, but it is his harmonies and deft guitar work that holds
the disc together, and his flawless musicianship thoroughly
justifies this more expansive showcase. --Elijah Wald
Excerpt taken from Amazon.com´s Editorial Review. |
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Cuarteto Patria
Eliades Ochoa, Compay Segundo
Cuban-Born Vocalist and Guitarist Eliades Ochoa Has a Long History in
Cuba for Having Played with So Many Groups. Recently Thrust
Into the Global Spotlight by his Participation on 'Buena Vista
Social Club', his Prominence Has Grown Immensely.
Excerpt taken from Amazon.com´s Editorial Review. |
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Feliz Cumpleanos a Compay Segundo
Compay Segundo
Who could argue with the assertion that Compay Segundo is a Cuban
treasure: one of the most original composers and performers
to ever come from the island. His "son" and "bolero-son"
style songs are Cuban classics that are also able to tug firmly
on American listeners' ears, begging them to come bask in
the beauty of his laid-back guitar style and his fantastic
low vocal harmonies. Herein lie both the allure and the turnoff
of this tribute album: they are Compay songs without the flavor
that Compay's performances impart to them. The performers
(Company Segundo) do an admirable job of playing the Compay
classics, however the performances lack that spark, the life
that Compay breathes into his compositions. The renditions
are fairly standard, lacking any notable originality that
might warrant the elusive fifth star. Painfully absent are
Compay's vocal harmonies, his rhythmic strumming above the
nut of his armonico (the custom hybrid instrument he created)
and his adept guitar playing that make his albums such a joy
to listen to.
Amazon Customers Review: Ross Dunkel from Rhode Island, USA |
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Los Dias de Gloria
Pablo Milanes
Pablo "the best male cuban voice alive", June 17, 2000
Reviewer: jatibonico from Canada and Cuba
Listening to this album one cannot resist calling him the
best male Cuban voice alive. Pablo sounds great doing boleros,
son, montuno or whatever he decides to sing. This is a very
mature and lovely album that will surely make your heart beat
faster. |
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Mariposas
Silvio Rodriguez
This CD has several yet unedited songs. It has a great sound and
wonderful lyrics typical of Silvio´s poetry. |
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