Rough Guide to the Music of Cuba

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This anthology nicely complements the Cuba chapter in The Rough Guide to World Music and is probably as adequate an introduction to the imponderably influential scope of 20th-century Cuban music as could be distilled down to a single CD. Although tilted toward the jazz end of spectrum, this diverse collection includes Lazaro Ros's profound, drum-driven invocation of the Santeria deity "Elegba," musica campesina star Celina Gonzalez's rough-hewn "roots salsa," the nimble, acoustic guitars and voices of old-school balladeers Vieja Trova Santiaguera, and Havana's renowned Sierra Maestra, the supple son revivalists who comprise the Buena Vista Social Club's musical backbone. Maria Bauza's "Mamba Rincon" shows how the bandleader fused Cuban and North American jazz in the 1940s, a hot hybrid that perseveres in the music of such great Cuban dance bands as Los Van Van and Orquesta Riverside, as well as in more musically ambitious groups like Irakere and Ritmo y Candela (all included here). Cuba's music remains remarkably dynamic for a country seemingly preserved in political aspic. --Richard Gehr

Rough Guide to the Music of Cuba,Various Artists,World Music Network,Afro-Cuban,Afro-Cuban Jazz,Cuba,Latin,Latin Jazz,Mambo,Rhumba,Salsa,Son,Tropical,World Music

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Rough Guide to Salsa: Second Edition Various Artists Manufacturer: World Music Network ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Africa | International | Styles | Music Zaire & Congo | Africa | International | Styles | Music Soukous | Africa | International | Styles | Music Cuba | Caribbean & Cuba | International | Styles | Music General | Caribbean & Cuba | International | Styles | Music Afro-Cuban | Caribbean & Cuba | International | Styles | Music General | International | Styles | Music General | Latin Music | Styles | Music Latin Pop | Latin Music | Styles | Music Salsa | Latin Music | Styles | Music Mambo | Latin Music | Styles | Music Salsa & Merengue | Compilations | Latin Music | Styles | Music Rhumba | Latin Music | Styles | Music General | Jazz | Styles | Music Latin Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music Similar Items: United We Swing Rough Guide to Salsa Dura NYC The Rough Guide to Salsa Dance: Second Edition The Greatest Salsa Ever, Vol. 1 The Greatest Salsa Ever, Vol. 2 ASIN: B000PHW2JK Release Date: 2007-06-05

Tracks:

1. MACOLLA - Homenaje a la Música Latina
2. JIMMY BOSCH - Que Bonito Es Soñar
3. WAYNE GORBEA - Prakatun!
4. CUBANOSON - Recordando a Cuba
5. SONORA CARRUSELES - El Gato Boogaloo
6. KEKELE - Consequence
7. RICARDO LEMVO & MAKINA LOCA - Papa Na Bana
8. ANGEL MELENDEZ & THE 911 MAMBO ORCHESTRA - Ven Pa' Que Goze
9. ALEX WILSON R&B - Latino
10. GRUPO CARIBE - Sombre Una Tumba Una Rumba
11. YUMURI Y SUS HERMANOS - Mi Salsa Tiene Candela
12. BIO RITMO - Atrevete
13. FRUKO Y SUS TESOS - La Máquina Del Sabor

Album Description

Salsa is the smouldering, up tempo Latin dance style that has taken the world by storm. Rooted in Africa and honed in South America, salsa has become an institution - danced everywhere from Havana to Helsinki and from New York to New Zealand. In The Rough Guide To Salsa (Second Edition) compiler Pablo Yglesias has selected tracks guaranteed to get your feet spiralling round the dance floor and especially sequenced to simulate an evening at a salsa club, with the pace ranging from beginner's lessons to strictly professional, all in one incredible flow.

Artists include - Macolla, Jimmy Bosch, Wayne Gorbea, Cubanoson, Sonora Carruseles, Kekele, Ricardo Lemvo & Makina Loca, Angel Melendez & The 911 Mambo Orchestra, Alex Wilson, Grupo Caribe, Yumurí Y Sus Hermanos, Bio Ritmo, Fruko y Sus Tesos

Average customer rating: Good Stuff A nice collection... Vey rough guide Vey rough guide Misguided Cuban Potpourri

The Rough Guide to Cuban Son Various Artists Manufacturer: World Music Network ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Cuba | Caribbean & Cuba | International | Styles | Music General | Caribbean & Cuba | International | Styles | Music General | International | Styles | Music General | Latin Music | Styles | Music Latin Pop | Latin Music | Styles | Music Bolero | Latin Music | Styles | Music Son | Latin Music | Styles | Music Charanga | Latin Music | Styles | Music General | International | Indie Music | Stores | Music Similar Items: The Rough Guide to Afro-Cuba Rough Guide to Salsa de Puerto Rico The Rough Guide to Salsa Colombia The Rough Guide to the Music of Venezuela The Rough Guide to Cumbia ASIN: B00004SCET Release Date: 2000-08-01

Tracks:

1. En Guantanamo - Septeto Nacional Ignacio Pineiro
2. Alto Songo - Afro-Cuban All Stars
3. El Tren - Vieja Trova Santiaguera
4. Maria Christina - Nico Saquito
5. Me Voy Pa' Moron - Orquesta Melodias Del 40
6. Francisco Guayabal - Beny More
7. Chango Ta 'Veni - Sierra Maestra
8. Alma De Coral - Septeto Santiaguero
9. El Baile Del Suavito - Orquesta Aragon
10. Que Pista - Los Van Van
11. No Me Digas Corazon - Son De La Loma
12. Tribilin Cantore - Sexteto Habanero
13. Eso No Es Na - Maria Teresa Vera
14. Chan Chan - Familia Valera Miranda
15. Para Bailar El Son - Canambu
16. Canto Al Monte - Cubanismo!
17. Ligadito Con El Son - Los Jubilados

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Originating in the late 19th century in the island's countryside known as the Oriente Province, the dance rhythm known as the son is the bedrock of Cuban music. It's a mix of Spanish and African harmonic and rhythmic elements with congas, bongos, maracas, clave sticks, upright bass, and the double-stringed tres guitar comprising its core instrumentation, augmented by brass, flutes, and charanga violin sections. This enhanced CD with a bonus track is compiled by the folks who produce the famed Rough Guide travel books, and it unveils the myriad forms of this music from the '20s to today.

The group Sierra Maestra has bata drum power on the Afro-son "Chango Ta' Veni." The Afro-Cuban All-Stars--featuring artists of the Buena Vista Social Club--and trumpeter Jesus Alemany's supergroup, Cubanismo, exemplify the zesty descarga/Cuban jam session tradition on "Alto Songo and "Canto al Monte." Of course, the classic bands and singers such as the legendary Orquesta Aragón, Septeto Habanero, Beny Moré, and María Teresa Vera, are included. "Que Pisa," by the synth-syncopated pop band Los Van Van, and rural Familia Valera Miranda's soulful take on Compay Segundo's hit, "Chan Chan," represent the impressive range of this Latin American musical form. --Eugene Holley Jr.

Album Description

Son is Cuba's principal dance and song form and the root of salsa. Fusing African and Spanish elements, it ranges in style from simple, rustic bands to the brassy arrangementsof New York salsa. This Rough Guide, literally a 'who's who' in Cuban music, explores this rich tradition, from its conception in the early 1900s to the present day big-band revival.

Artists include: Sierra Maestra, !Cubanismo!, Afro-Cuban All Stars, Orquesta Aragón, Familia Valera Miranda, Los Van Van, Sexteto Habanero and Beny Moré

Customer Reviews:

Good Stuff.......2006-03-17

excellent compilation of cuban music from rough guide. It is not just the Buena Vista Social club revisted. Some of the songs are the same but are done by differnt artists than BVSC. I think they are at least as good as the artists on BVSC.

A nice collection..........2003-06-18

I think this is pretty nice. Even if it isn't all "son" per se, (and "son" is a pretty fluid term, anyway...)this is still one of the better samplers of Cuban dance music you're likely to find on the American market, packed with solid performances by classic artists such as Beny More, Orquesta Aragon, Ignacio Pineiro, Nico Saquito and others. Although it includes a few tunes by slick modern groups such as Los Van Van, there's a perceptible tilt towards older, rootsier acoustic styles and artists that I find appealling. Sure, maybe all of the artists aren't brand-name, dyed-in-the-wool legends, but this is a very strong, no-nonsense sampler of some of the sweetest music Cuba has to offer, and one of my favorite Rough Guide discs to date. Definitely recommended.

Vey rough guide.......2002-08-13

If one were to disregard the misnomer I think any fan of Cuban music will find this disc enjoyable but not great. It is after all the rough guide. Another problem with this disc besides the varieties of styles is the time periods covered, this makes for a bit of a mixed , uneven compilation. The featured artists are some of the best in Cuban music many of whom have been making music for decades and walking this planet longer than most people. Featured and diverse artists include Beny More, Orquestra Arragon, Sierra Maestra and the Afro-Cuban All Stars amongst many others who are lesser known outside of Cuba. All in all the songs are a niice sampler of Cuban music with several outstanding songs depending on ones preference. Myself I found the interpretation of Compay Segundos classic song "Chan Chan" by Familia Valera Miranda a little subdued and hence a little less soulful than the original but still good. All in all it is a nice sampler for further exploration into Cuban music. For variety and a way of hearing other artists it is useful but as pure son it falls short. It is an enhanced CD and this portion I found quite disappointing. It seems that the technology was not utiized to it's full potential and it is little more than reading material and an advertisement for the books and such that are associated with the rough guide series. The enhanced section is not very interactive and without sound, go figure.

Vey rough guide.......2002-08-13

If one were to disregard the misnomer I think any fan of Cuban music will find this disc enjoyable but not great. It is after all the rough guide. Another problem with this disc besides the varieties of styles is the time periods covered, this makes for a bit of a mixed , uneven compilation. The featured artists are some of the best in Cuban music many of whom have been making music for decades and walking this planet longer than most people. Featured and diverse artists include Beny More, Orquestra Arragon, Sierra Maestra and the Afro-Cuban All Stars amongst many others who are lesser known outside of Cuba. All in all the songs are a niice sampler of Cuban music with several outstanding songs depending on ones preference. Myself I found the interpretation of Compay Segundos classic song "Chan Chan" by Familia Valera Miranda a little subdued and hence a little less soulful than the original but still good. All in all it is a nice sampler for further exploration into Cuban music. For variety and a way of hearing other artists it is useful but as pure son it falls short. It is an enhanced CD and this portion I found quite disappointing. It seems that the technology was not utiized to it's full potential and it is little more than reading material and an advertisement for the books and such that are associated with the rough guide series. The enhanced section is not very interactive and without sound, go figure.

Misguided Cuban Potpourri.......2000-09-19

This CD is not a rough guide to son. Although the selections are in most cases good by themselves it includes guaracha (Nico Saquito), cha-cha-cha from Orquesta Aragon and timba from Los Van Van. In my opinion this is just another compilation intent on cashing in the "Buena Vista Social Club" phenomenon. The CD spans almost a century of Cuban music, from Maria Teresa Vera to Cubanismo, thus labelling "son" what really is a variety of forms and styles of Cuban music. Not for somebody seriously trying to learn about "son"

Average customer rating: Cuban Music Story Big disappointment

Rough Guide to Cuban Music Story Various Artists Manufacturer: World Music Network ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Cuba | Caribbean & Cuba | International | Styles | Music General | Caribbean & Cuba | International | Styles | Music Afro-Cuban | Caribbean & Cuba | International | Styles | Music General | International | Styles | Music General | Latin Music | Styles | Music Mambo | Latin Music | Styles | Music Son | Latin Music | Styles | Music Charanga | Latin Music | Styles | Music Rhumba | Latin Music | Styles | Music General | Jazz | Styles | Music Latin Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music General | Pop | Styles | Music General | International | Indie Music | Stores | Music Similar Items: Rough Guide to Latin Jazz The Rough Guide to Cuban Son Rough Guide to World Music: Africa & Middle East Rough Guide's Off the Beaten Track The Rough Guide to the Music of Jamaica: Roots Music From the Loudest Island on the Planet ASIN: B00005B9RG Release Date: 2001-10-08

Tracks:

1. Bonito Y Sabroso - Beny More
2. El Jamaiquino - Nino Rivera
3. Campina - Afro Cuban Jazz Project
4. Al Vaiven De Mi Carreta - Afro Cuban All Stars
5. Chucho - Mario Bauza
6. To Mario Bauza - Bebo Valdes
7. El Carretero - Guillermo Portabales
8. Quizas Quiazas - Cuarteto Patria & Manu Dibango
9. Quiero A Mi Guajira - Maraca
10. Fania - Pancho Amat
11. Yaye Boy - Orquesta Aragon
12. Aprovecha - Cubanismo!
13. Tibiri Tabara - Sierra Maestra
14. Somos lo Maximo - Azucar Letal
15. Laura - Peruchin

Customer Reviews:

Cuban Music Story.......2005-06-29

I really liked this album, in particular songs # 1, 2 and 7. Difinitely recommend.

Big disappointment.......2003-02-15

I've read the book "Rough Guide to Cuban Music" and I was looking forward to listening to this CD. Well, I feel I've wasted my money. Nothing caught my ear :-( The song selection looked good, but for every song I knew, the interpretation on this CD was awful. Listen to "El Carretero" on Buena Vista Social Club CD or listen to "Al Vaiven de Mi Carreta" on "Putumayo Presents: Cuba" and you'll know what I mean.

I'm sure this CD's producer has chosen the worst (cheapest?) versions of other songs as well. I can only guess if he has no musical taste at all or just didn't have the money to produce a decent CD for the book.

Average customer rating:

The Rough Guide to Afro-Cuba Various Artists Manufacturer: World Music Network ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Cuba | Caribbean & Cuba | International | Styles | Music General | Caribbean & Cuba | International | Styles | Music Afro-Cuban | Caribbean & Cuba | International | Styles | Music General | International | Styles | Music General | Latin Music | Styles | Music Latin Pop | Latin Music | Styles | Music Son | Latin Music | Styles | Music General | Jazz | Styles | Music Latin Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music Latin Jazz | Compilations | Jazz | Styles | Music General | International | Indie Music | Stores | Music Brazilian & Latin Jazz | Jazz | Indie Music | Stores | Music International Jazz | Jazz | Indie Music | Stores | Music Similar Items: The Rough Guide to Cuban Son The Rough Guide to Salsa Colombia Rough Guide to Salsa de Puerto Rico The Rough Guide to Samba The Rough Guide to the Music of Brazil: Bahia ASIN: B00005NBTL Release Date: 2001-10-08

Tracks:

1. M' Beddemi - Cheikh N'Digel Lo
2. Le Rendez-Vous - Ricardo Lemvo & Makina Loca
3. Trovador - Africando
4. Rumba Makossa - Cuarteto Patria & Manu Dibango
5. Xamsa Bopp - Super Cayor De Dakar
6. Boulmamine - Orchestra Baobab
7. Viva Super Eagles - Super Eagles
8. Porque Me Guardas Rencor - Septeto Nacional Ignacio Pineiro
9. Donde Va Chichi? - Sierra Maestra
10. Assa - Balla Et Sas Balladins
11. Senorita - E.T. Mensah
12. Yewa - Lazaro Ros
13. Elube Chango - Afro-Cuban All Stars
14. Kora-Son - Patato featuring Samba Mapangala

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Fusion may be an overworked word denoting an often dubious process, but The Rough Guide to Afro-Cuba should restore anyone's faith in it. And history underpins it: Cuban dance rhythms originated in Africa, were transported during the slave trade to Cuba, were brought back to Africa by liberated slaves in the 19th century, and were re-appropriated by indigenous African musicians in the 20th century. At every stage in the process, the rhythms were enriched and embellished. Permeated by rumba and mbalax rhythms, this lovely compilation reflects an astonishing constancy of texture between groups recorded in Cuba and others recorded in Africa, and its inclusion of some rare vintage stuff--the Septeto Nacional, Balla et Ses Balladins, and the "King of Highlife" E.T. Mensah--deepens its historical dimension. We also get the intricate charms of Orchestra Baobab and the magnificent sound of Sierra Maestra, Cuba's finest son band. The liner notes are good, but why can't they include recording dates? So easy to do, so frustrating when omitted. --Michael Church

Average customer rating:

A Rough Guide to Celia Cruz Celia Cruz Manufacturer: World Music Network ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Cuba | Caribbean & Cuba | International | Styles | Music General | Caribbean & Cuba | International | Styles | Music General | International | Styles | Music General | Latin Music | Styles | Music Latin Pop | Latin Music | Styles | Music Salsa | Latin Music | Styles | Music Merengue | Latin Music | Styles | Music Mambo | Latin Music | Styles | Music Salsa & Merengue | Compilations | Latin Music | Styles | Music Son | Latin Music | Styles | Music General | Jazz | Styles | Music Latin Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music Similar Items: The Rough Guide to Tito Puente The Rough Guide to Boogaloo Rough Guide to Merengue The Rough Guide to Ali Hassan Kuban Rough Guide to Flamenco Nuevo ASIN: B0007YNRP4 Release Date: 2005-05-09

Tracks:

1. Jaibera - Celia Cruz
2. Cacahuatero - Celia Cruz
3. Arrecotin Arrecotan - Celia Cruz
4. Metida Con You - Celia Cruz
5. Campeona - Celia Cruz
6. Reina Rumba - Justo Betancourt, Celia Cruz, Papo Lucca, Johnny Pacheco
7. Elegua - Celia Cruz
8. Bambarakatunga - Ray Barretto, Celia Cruz
9. No Me Cambie Camino - Ray Barretto, Celia Cruz
10. Paso del Mulo - Celia Cruz, Johnny Pacheco
11. Madre Rumba - Celia Cruz, Pete "El Conde" Rodrez
12. Nadie Se Salva de la Rumba - Ray Barretto, Celia Cruz, Adalberto Santiago
13. Sugar Sugar - Celia Cruz
14. Cucala - Celia Cruz, Johnny Pacheco
15. Rico Changui - Celia Cruz, Johnny Pacheco
16. Flor de Mayo - Celia Cruz, Johnny Pacheco
17. Se Que Tu - Justo Betancourt, Celia Cruz, Papo Lucca, Johnny Pacheco
18. Te Solte la Rienda - Celia Cruz
19. Cuando Sali de Cuba - Celia Cruz

Album Description

Celia Cruz was the undisputed `Queen of Salsa', and when she died in 2003, after a career spanning nearly seven decades, she left Latin music without a figurehead. Her career began in 1930s Havana and, in 1960, she moved to New York and became a central attraction at Fania Records - the Motown of Latin music and powerhouse of salsa. Throughout the 1970s and 1980s, Celia's recordings with percussionist and bandleader Tito Puente (the `King' to her `Queen') and producers Johnny Pacheco and Ray Barretto won streams of awards. This album showcases the unique range and rhythmic versatility of her dazzling voice and the brilliant soloists who surrounded her.

Average customer rating:

Rough Guide to Salsa: Second Edition Various Artists Manufacturer: World Music Network (UK) Ltd ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Music | Entertainment | Subjects | Books General | Africa | International | Styles | Music Zaire & Congo | Africa | International | Styles | Music Soukous | Africa | International | Styles | Music Cuba | Caribbean & Cuba | International | Styles | Music General | Caribbean & Cuba | International | Styles | Music Afro-Cuban | Caribbean & Cuba | International | Styles | Music General | International | Styles | Music General | Latin Music | Styles | Music Latin Pop | Latin Music | Styles | Music Salsa | Latin Music | Styles | Music Mambo | Latin Music | Styles | Music Rhumba | Latin Music | Styles | Music Latin Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music ASIN: 1906063060

Tracks:

1. Homenaje a La M Latina: No le Pegue a La Negra/El Periodico de Aye - Macolla
2. Que Bonito Es So- Jimmy Bosch
3. Prakatun! - Wayne Gorbea
4. Recordando a Cuba - Cubanoson
5. Gato Boogaloo - La Sonora Carruseles
6. Consequence - Kekele,
7. Papa Na Bana - Ricardo Lemvo, Makina Loca
8. Ven Pa' Que Goze - Angel Melez, , The 911 Mambo Orchestra
9. R&B Latino - Alex Wilson
10. Sombre una Tumba una Rumba - Grupo Caribe
11. Mi Salsa Tiene Candela - Yumur Sus Hermanos,
12. Atrevete - Bio Ritmo,
13. Mina del Sabor - Fruko y Sus Tesos
14. [CD-Rom Track]

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