Once again, Putumayo has done their homework, expertly.
This cool 10-tracker captures the ambience of the Cuban cafes, and music that helped
launch the spirit of Cuba to the rest of the world.
Brought up in the cultural melting pot of Miami in the 70s (his parents moved
there before he was born) Jose Conde feels Cuban, saying, "I feel in Cuban and
I think en Americano. The melody for El Chacal (The Jackal) is based on the
anthemic Carlos Puebla homage to Che Guevara “Hasta Siempre Comandante",
who questions the motives of the supposed hero to achieve social reform.
Underrated musician Ignacio Carrillo was handed a renaissance due to the popularity
behind Ry Cooder’s project The Buena Vista Social Club. Given a second chance to
expose his talents after coming out of retirement, Ignacio gets his cover version of
Miguel Matamoros’ 1930 classic Lagrimas (Black Tears) included. This swing happy
gem is given the full indigenous Cuban flavours.
Known as a rebel himself, Pedro Luis Ferrer is much revered by Cubans. Due to
his pro-democracy tendencies, and outspoken criticism of the Castro revolution
he’s been ostracized by the Cuban media, nevertheless, he still managed to
retain his credibility on the island, only releasing four albums in 40 years,
his latest being 2005’s Rustico (2005).Here his daughter Lena fronts the
vocals on another lush Latino swing Ay, Mi Vidita (Ay, My Darling),
influenced by folky chanui and guaracha styles.
Brought up around the percussive rumba, 34-year-old husky singer Rene Ferrer
has relocated to Brazil, though his music has elements of samba and bossa nova,
punchy Como A Cada Manana reverts to his indigenous roots. Wanting to
update some of the traditional music, Edesio Alejandro, he took it upon himself
to write new material inspired by Cuban classics combining fresher and original
melodies.
Written by Edesio and Gerardo Garcia, they have both masterfully reinvented a
sound familiar with the island’s music from 75 years ago. His lightweight touch
and treatment is pure ear candy as he pleads for Morenita to end his misery. A
teacher of music history, 46 year old German Obregon, his Pincel Campesino (Country Paintbrush)
is a delightful acoustic sound rooted in the melodies and rural themes of musica
campesina featuring singer Celso Marcos.
The bolero (a slow romantic ballad style) is still popular in Latin America, where
it took off on 19th century ballrooms. Here Armando Garzon covers a classic
Mexican bolero by Ruben Fuentes. Escandalo (Scandal) is the tale of bitter/sweet love,
with defiant lyrics: "On every corner they are talking about the two of us /
They say it is a scandal / Even speaking badly of me for giving you my love /
I pay them no mind / Let’s go on no matter what they say."
Young group Asere, from Havana, was formed to play the music of their grandparents,
they throw themselves into Corazon (Sweetheart) a fusion of bolero/son
with style, bringing new vigour to ancient styles. Having sung with over 20
bands spanning 40 years, it was only 2000 when he finally recorded his debut solo
album Baila Mi Son, with bolero Despues de Esta Noche (After Tonight)
lifted from it.
Bridging the gap between past and the future of Cuban music, Kelvis Ochoa’s
subtle and slick laid back rhythm on Fue Una de Mambo, brings a contemporary
close to a wonderful collection.
1. El Chacal – Jose Conde y Ola Fresca
2. Lagrimas Negras – Ignacio ‘Mazacote’ Carillo
3. Ay, Mi Vidita – Pedro Luis Ferrer feat. Lena Ferrer
4. Como A Cada Manana – Rene Ferrer
5. Morentina – La Orquesta Magica De La Habana
6. Pincel Campesino – German Obregon
7. Escandalo – Armando Garzon
8. Corazon – Asere
9. Despues de Esta Noche
10. Fue Una de Mambo – Kelvis Ochoa
DVDs reviewed by the editor are watched on a Panasonic TXW32R4 32" widescreen TV
connected to either a Creative Dxr2 DVD-ROM player or Microsoft Xbox and
played through a Sony STR-DB930 amplifier.
PC games reviewed by the editor are on:
Since Nov 2005: Intel Pentium D 830 3.0Ghz, 1Gb RAM, 128Mb nVidia GeForce 6700XL, Windows XP
Since Aug 2003: Intel Pentium 4 2.66Ghz, 512Mb RAM, 128Mb GeForce4 MX440 graphics, Windows XP
Since May 2003: Intel Pentium 4 2.6Ghz, 512Mb RAM, 128Mb ATI Radeon 9600TX graphics, Windows XP
Since Jun 2002: Intel Pentium III 600Mhz, 384Mb RAM, Windows 98 SE, 64Mb ATI Radeon 8500LE
Since May 2000: Intel Pentium III 600Mhz, 384Mb RAM, Windows 98 SE, Voodoo 3 3000 AGP
Review & concert pics copyright © Elly Roberts, 2004-2008.
