Congo to Cuba

Amazon.com
This compilation examines the connection between modern African music and Cuban styles that evolved from a slow-simmering cross-pollination of Spanish melodies and rhythms imported by homesick slaves. When Latin albums eventually found their way home to the Continent, local musicians immediately recognized the link and re-Africanized the tunes for their own markets. These versions then traveled back to the Caribbean, resealing the cultural circle and launching dozens of further permutations. The selections on this set are very well chosen, given that the subject is a huge one and a single CD is hardly adequate to the task. Gnonnas Pedro and Labah Soseh, two pioneering vocalists who hail from Benin and Gambia, respectively, receive well-deserved places of honor. Other master tracks include Congolese diva Tshala Muana's hypnotic "Lekela Muadi," and "Canto a la Vueltabajera" by Cuba's Alfredo Valdés, which abounds in goofy classical piano quotes. --Christina Roden

Tracks:

Val' Carretero - Chico Albarez (Cuba)
Safiatou - Mama Sissoko (Guinea)
Canto A La Vueltabajera - Alfredo Valdes (Cuba)
Yiri Yiri Boum - Gnonnas Pedro (Benin)
Lekela Muadi - Tshala Muana (Congo)
Le Monde Est Fou - Balla Tounkara (Mali)
Son Soneate - Laba Sosseh (Gambia)
Igualita Que Tu - Monte Adentro (Cuba)
Ritmo de Mi Son - Chocolate Armenteros (Cuba)
Tougnafo - Mama Keita (Guinea)
African Salsa - Pape Fall (Senegal)

Amazon.com

This compilation examines the connection between modern African music and Cuban styles that evolved from a slow-simmering cross-pollination of Spanish melodies and rhythms imported by homesick slaves. When Latin albums eventually found their way home to the Continent, local musicians immediately recognized the link and re-Africanized the tunes for their own markets. These versions then traveled back to the Caribbean, resealing the cultural circle and launching dozens of further permutations. The selections on this set are very well chosen, given that the subject is a huge one and a single CD is hardly adequate to the task. Gnonnas Pedro and Labah Soseh, two pioneering vocalists who hail from Benin and Gambia, respectively, receive well-deserved places of honor. Other master tracks include Congolese diva Tshala Muana's hypnotic "Lekela Muadi," and "Canto a la Vueltabajera" by Cuba's Alfredo Valdés, which abounds in goofy classical piano quotes. --Christina Roden

Customer Reviews:

cannot change the truth.......2006-12-27

As Cuban and an AFRO CUBAN who has enjoyed our music for more than 50 years it is never difficult to accept the fact that Africans came to cuba and to all of the caribbean light yrs before slavery took over in amerikka. We brought our culture, language religion and music with us and even today in 2006 one only has to pay attention to see that our flava has never changed..even in hip hop..So to say that some people re-africanized the music anything is a bad choice of words..how can you africanize what is already african?

The truth is we as a cuban people identified with the mother land, brought the music with us and got robbed

This CD is HOT!.......2006-09-23

I would give it more than five stars if I could. I was hooked from the first track and it just got better. My favorites are tracks 1,2,3, and 6. This cd had me all over the net looking for more from the artists, especially Balla Tounkara (#6), Chico Alvarez, and Alfredo Valdés.

RICH STUFF--LATIN AND AFRICAN.......2005-07-12

I love the blend of "Latin African" and this is a great CD.

Nice...Very Nice.......2003-07-09

I heard one of the songs at the San Francisco Latin Film Festival playing as the audience entered for the screening. I could not wait to ask the sound man for the title and I have not been disappointed. The songs I heard that night were Safiatou and the next song. Since I bought the CD earlier this year, I've been hooked. Very bright recording allows me to hear all the nuacnes of the melodic and percussion driven African and Latin music. I great find. I'm looking for other releases by these world artist on this compilation. Go get it.

Nice flow..........2002-12-17

What I loved best is how the music flowed from one to the next...
My fave tracks are 1, 5, 10 and 11... Great blend of two countries music that complement each other extremely...

Average customer rating:

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 Rough Guide to the Music of Vietnam

ASIN: B000PHW2JK
Release Date: 2007-06-05

Tracks:

MACOLLA - Homenaje a la Música Latina
JIMMY BOSCH - Que Bonito Es Soñar
WAYNE GORBEA - Prakatun!
CUBANOSON - Recordando a Cuba
SONORA CARRUSELES - El Gato Boogaloo
KEKELE - Consequence
RICARDO LEMVO & MAKINA LOCA - Papa Na Bana
ANGEL MELENDEZ & THE 911 MAMBO ORCHESTRA - Ven Pa' Que Goze
ALEX WILSON R&B - Latino
GRUPO CARIBE - Sombre Una Tumba Una Rumba
YUMURI Y SUS HERMANOS - Mi Salsa Tiene Candela
BIO RITMO - Atrevete
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.