Cafe Cubano - Putumayo Album Review
Putumayo: cafe Cubano
Album Review
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.
File under : Quite gorgeous.
