Memories of Cuba
Orquesta Casino de la Playa
TCD 003
If you liked the Buena Vista Social Club then you'll be amazed by this album, which presents a very similar music recorded 60 years earlier. In particular Ibrahim Ferrer's Bruca Manigua uses the arrangement of Anselmo Sacasas which you can hear on this CD in its original version. With its haunting violin introduction it is if anything even more charming.
The first incarnation of the Casino De La Playa was a stellar band that proved the launching pad for many famous careers. Miguelito Valdés, Cascarita, Perez Prado & Anselmo Sacasas can all be heard on this fabulous album. Essential.
- Mike Lavocah
Track list
Llora; Son Los Bobitos; Tartara; La Pelotica; El Caballo Y La Montura; Un Meneito Na' Ma; Quiero Un Sombrero; Coge Pa' La Cola; Yo Pico Un Pan; Esto Es Lo Ultimo; Almendra; Babalu; Cachita; Bruca Manigua; El Manisero; Tumbando Caña; Parampampin
Cuban Rhythms
Miguelito Valdés with Machito and his Afro-Cubans
TCD 008
In the 1940s Machito's Afro Cubans was one of the most important orchestras in the development of what is now called Latin Jazz. Machito fronted the band but its musical director was the trumpet player Mario Bauzá. Thay had both come from a period in Cab Calloway's band which, although it had established their musical credentials had not allowed them to make music in the way they really wanted.
On this album we hear recordings made in 1942 with the singer Miguelito Valdés. Standing six foot tall and weighing 190 pounds, Miguelito came to singing when he appeared at clubs to promote his first career, boxing, and he attacked his songs as he did his opponents - with savagery.
This album is especially popular amongst those coming to Cuban music from a familiarity with jazz.
- Mike Lavocah
Track list
Rica Pulpa; Zarabanda; Ecó; Sensemaya; Drume Negrita; La Rumba Soy Yo; Botellero; Nagüe; Oye Negra; Saluda; Bim Bam Baby; Carambú; Letargo; Guadalajara; Enlloro; Tabú
Montuneando
Arsenio Rodríguez
TCD 031
Arsenio Rodriguez revolutionised Cuban music in the 1940s with the double innovations of the son montuno, the precursor of the mambo and salsa, and the creation of the conjunto format, which added trumpets and piano to the son sextet. On top of this he was a gifted composer and lyricist and an unequalled tresero. His 1940s conjunto was the strongest ever to play Cuban music. If you don't like this album, you either don't really like Cuban dance music or, jack, you' dead.
- Mike Lavocah
Track list
Dame Un Cachito Pa' Huele; Chicharronero; Semilla de Caña Brava; Juventud Amaliana; El Reloj de Pastora; Canta Montero; Cangrejo Fue A Estudiar; Adivinalo; Lo Que Dice Usted; La Vida Es Un Sueño; El Cerro Tiene La Llave; Esa China Tiene Coimbre; A Belen Le Toca Ahora; Me Boté De Guaño; Aqui Como Alla; El Rincon Caliente; Juventud de Cayo Hueso; Kila, Quique y Chocoloate
Canción del alma
Conjunto Casino
TCD 040
Of all the bands playing smooth Cuban music to the white audiences in Havana's Casinos, the Conjunto Casino was undoubtedly the best. With their superb trio of vocalists, Roberto Espí, Nelo Sosa & Roberto Faz they were the darlings of the nightclub circuit.
This album, their second on Tumbao, presents a selection of unforgettable boleros.
- Mike Lavocah
Track list
Canción del Alma; Poquito A Poco; Mañana Vendras; Entre Espumas; Mujer De Mi Alma; Ritmo Guajiro; Que Habre Hecho Yo?; Por Que Llorar?; Aunque Te Vayas; Otra Vez; Bohemia; Caminando Caminando; Vive Este Noche; Eso No Importa; No Lo Mereces; La Bayamesa; Como Una Madre; No, No Y No; Inesperadamente; Trago Amargo; Perdoname Esta Vez; Nosotros
Rumba en el patio
Conjunto Kubavana 1944-1947
TCD 034
The Conjunto Kubavana had the best rhythm section in Cuba, featuring the young
Carlos "Patato" Valdés, the first tumbadora ever to use two drums, and
Armando Peraza on bongo.
The boys really tear it up on this album;
their youthful vigour and excitement will thrill you.
- Mike Lavocah
Track list
Conjunto Kubavana
Rumba En El Patio; Que Mala Suerte; Ni Hits Ni Carreras; Cerro Brinco; Cosas De La Calle; No Supe Amarte; Las Cinco Novias; Rumba Moderna; Corta El Bonche; Mujer Misteriosa; Moforival El Tambo; Tu Me Gustas; Que Se Vaya; Sonaremo El Tambo;
Conjunto Casino
A Venezuela; Vieja; Flaca Y Fea; Cuanto Se Debe; El Sordo
Cantando en el llano
Duo Los Compadres
TCD 061
The original Duo Los Compadres was made up of Lorenzo Hierrezuelo (Compay Primo), first voice and guitar, and his cousin Francisco Repilado (Compay Secundo) second voice and tres / laud, giving Compay Secundo the name he is known by professionally to the present day. Lorenzo Hierrezuelo was the regular accompanist of María Teresa Vera and as strong a musician as Compay Secundo; their duo is the best guitar duo in the history of Cuban music.
The son of the Duo Los Compadres is very different to that of the sextets such as the Sexteto Habanero: it is much quicker and livelier, and with less emphasis on percussion - there is no tumbadora (conga). The compadres were two but for their recordings they added bass, guiro and bongo. The transfers are of very good fidelity. The album is rounded of with excellent sleeve notes by leading Cuban musicologist Cristóbal Díaz Ayala.
- Mike Lavocah
Track list
Yo Canto En El Llano; El Parana; El Penquito E' Coleto; Jala Leva; Vicenta; Vidita Mia; Venga Guano Caballeros; El Gallo E'Jando; Hey Caramba; Juliancito Tu Novia Te Boto; Caña Quema; Huellas Del Pasado; Busque Su Grupo; Yo Domino; La Calabaza; Llora Mi Nena; Cañero Nº 15; Las Mujeres Conmigo Van A Acabar
