Cuban Music

  Pedro Luis Ferrer and his family group have to be one of the most unique and truly delightful sounds to ever come out of Cuba, an island which has produced more world-class music than any similar-sized place on Earth.

 Pedro sings while playing his acoustic tres (a small ukulele-sized string instrument), his daughters' voices weaving in and out of his. Though there are many percussion instruments coming and going in the mix, they never get in the way - the voices always dominate, and the lyrics are in Spanish and are usually critical of the Castro regime, yet not so sharp that the group ends up in prison: a sort of gentle rebellion.

 Most listeners would probably prefer to just listen to his music - iit's danceable, acoustic, soft, and somewhat pretty - but the beat is nearly always there; that is so Cuban.

 NATURAL is the third Pedro Luis Ferrer cd we have heard: all three are great. How could a listener not love it? Prepare to be delighted.

 A more contemporary style than Compay Segundo or the Buena Vista Social Club, these Amigos have definitely been influenced by the salsa and Latin jazz scene out of NYC which in itself is firmly rooted in Cuban music.

 Most of the cuts for IMAGINATE CUBA were recorded in 1995 or 1999. The incredible Jesus Rubalcaba plays piano on several cuts alternating with Emilio Vega, who plays in a style closer to Eddie Palmieri and other dance band leaders.

 Joel Terry (who doubles on sax) alternates the flute chores with Joaquin Oliveros, who plays on the cuts featuring Jesus Rubacalba. Dig the clever changes on Cut 6 by Chucmo Valdez, the only cut on IMAGINATE CUBA that does not have a piano, though a good salsa dancer could dance to this cd.  It definitely qualifies as jazz and very fine jazz, too.

 The leader of Somos Amigos is Imanol Ortiz: a young Basque percussionist who constantly surrounds himself with the greatest Latin musicians he can find - and it shows.

 The Late great Compay Segundo was one of the great stars of the Buena Vista Social Club. The old rascal had a great presence as well as a terrific musical sense. Unfortunately none of the liner notes to this great 15-song cd SIEMPRE COMPAY is in English, but I get the impression this cd was recorded after his death.

 Many of the musicians on SIEMPRE COMPAY are young enough to be the sons or even the grandsons of Compay and in fact they are carrying on the great man's music almost as if he was still here. Two members of the group are Compay's sons, the rest of the band is made up of musicians who accompanied Compay the last several years of his life.

 Fans will get a kick out of cut 11, 'Just a Gigolo', sung in English with a Louis Armstrong-like voice. The lyrics capture the image of Compay Segundo as though they were written specifically for and about him. A most enjoyable recording: good for dancing or just listening.

  Joan Manuel Serrat is a Spanish composer who rose to great heights of fame in Europe and Latin America, where he toured (and lived) extensively. He has worked with many lyricists throughout Latin America.

 The amazing collection CUBA LA CANTA A SERRAT consists of two cds, one of which is double-sided with a dvd on the alternate side. Many of Cuba's greatest singers, musicians, and bands took part in this tribute, including Mara Portuondo (Buena Vista Social Club), Orquesta Aragon (Cuba's oldest and most prestigious band), Grupo Compay Segundo, Ibrahim Ferrer, Silvio Rodriguez, Pablo Milanes, Chucho Valdes, and so many more from senior citizens to the very young.

 The liner note booklet is very informative with notes in Spanish and English. Great color photos of all participating artists are also appreciated.

 All the songs are sung in Spanish. The variety of styles is breath-taking. Do I hear Celtic and Flamenco mixed with Cuban? Wow!  From a little trio to a fully symphonic orchestra with all the steps in between, CUBA LA CANTA A SERRAT shines with diversity.

 Too many recordings are called 'classics' when in truth few are. This recording qualifies s a true 'classic': if Cuban music was as big in the USA as rock, we'd be hearing this music on the radio for the next four decades.