The Rough Guide to Afro-Cuba

Amazon.com
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

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.

Tracks:

Bonito Y Sabroso - Beny More
El Jamaiquino - Nino Rivera
Campina - Afro Cuban Jazz Project
Al Vaiven De Mi Carreta - Afro Cuban All Stars
Chucho - Mario Bauza
To Mario Bauza - Bebo Valdes
El Carretero - Guillermo Portabales
Quizas Quiazas - Cuarteto Patria & Manu Dibango
Quiero A Mi Guajira - Maraca
Fania - Pancho Amat
Yaye Boy - Orquesta Aragon
Aprovecha - Cubanismo!
Tibiri Tabara - Sierra Maestra
Somos lo Maximo - Azucar Letal
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.

Tracks:

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

Amazon.com

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