Putumayo Presents: Cuba

1. Compositor Confundido - Ibrahim Ferrer

2. Al Vaiven de Mi Carreta - Cuarteto Patria, Eliades Ochoa

3. Adios de Este Momento - Septeto Nacional de Ignacio Piñeiro

4. Campina - Afro-Cuban Jazz Project

5. Sabroso Como el Guarapo - Orquesta Sublime

6. Mecanica de Amor - Mi Son

7. Mami Me Gusto - Todos Estrellas

8. Boliviana - Irakere

9. Reloj de Pastora - Sierre Maestra

10. Patria Querida - Los Guaracheros de Oriente

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com
At once spicy hot and languorously sweet, Putumayo Presents Cuba is a passionate marriage of active and passive, masculine and feminine, a contemporary festival of sound whose roots were born in defiance of onerous distraction and oppression. Based on Afro-Cuban culture, whose music comes from a combination of European and African instrumentation, the songs in this collection swing with the energetic rhythms of traditional son (also the base of salsa). Layered over the repetitive beat, guitars chime, maracas add shimmy, and trumpets take the upper accent melody, often repeating or contrasting the main vocal melody. One of the finest contributions to the disc is Mi Son's "Mecanica de Amor," in which the band substitutes the violin for the lead trumpet, making a treat of the unexpected. Irakere's funky fusion "Boliviera" comes on gangbusters with beefy bass, full horn section, and featured flute melody. Containing superb liner notes, Putumayo Presents Cuba makes a fine introduction to this island's rich sound, and a superb remedy to the blues. --Paige La Grone

Tracks:

Tapete Negro - Ara Ketu
I Know You Mardi Gras - Eddie Bo
El Nuevo Caiman - Fruko Y Sus Tesos
Carnaval - Cuarteto Patria
Macoklis Mango - Un Solo Pueblo
Kermit's Second Line - Kermit Ruffins
Retounen - King Posse
Canta Canta, Minha Gente - Martinho Da Vila
Spirit Of Crop Over - Big Davy
Wild Indian Band - Andre Tanker

Amazon.com

Putumayo Presents Carnival is a rousing collection of world music suited for the purpose of annual street parades, large-scale block parties, and whooping it up in all the festooned finery of Mardi Gras. Only two songs here, Eddie Bo's "I Know You Mardi Gras" and Kermit Ruffins's "Kermit's Second Line," hail from New Orleans. The other eight tracks come from such carnival traditions as the world-famous Brazilian Rio de Janiero throw-down--represented by Martinho Da Vila's "Canta Canta, Minha Gente"--and Cuba's shindig--celebrated here by the Cuarteto Patria, led by guitarist Eliades Ochoa, renowned for his Buena Vista Social Club contribution. Haitian band King Posse turn in one of the most fun performances with "Retounen," a booty-busting blend of reggae, hip-hop, and Haitian compas. With few exceptions, these cuts haven't been released outside their native countries, and as with all Putumayo compilations, Carnival comes with fantastic liner notes detailing both the artists and the carnivals of their homelands. --Paige La Grone

Customer Reviews:

Happy Times.......2005-03-14

This will please everyone you know. All you need now is a few shots of tequila, a good costume, a few strands of(barter)beads and your ready to go.

A Fantastic cd.......2001-09-02

This is one of my favourites in the Putumayo catalogue. Every song here is guaranteed to lift your spirits. Songs from Brazil, New Orleans, Columbia, Cuba/Cameroon, Venezuela, Haiti, Barbados and Trinidad are represented here. The wonderful 20 page booklet comes with detailed info on the artists and songs, as well as an essay on the history of "Carnival". This is a wonderful mix of uptempo music such as Rhythm and Blues, Salsa, Samba, Reggae, and many other kinds of music which blends to create the perfect Mardi Gras/Carnival feel. I can't recommend this highly enough...it's a must-have.

Instant Party!.......2001-07-13

Putumayo does it again! Just slip this cd into the player and the party gets turned up a couple of notches. I HIGHLY recommend it!!

colorful and fun.......2001-02-09