The Rough Guide to Cuban Son

Amazon.com
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.

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:

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

Amazon.com

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 AragÃ³n, Familia Valera Miranda, Los Van Van, Sexteto Habanero and Beny MorÃ©

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

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:

The Rough Guide to Cuban Son
Rough Guide to Latin Jazz
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:

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

Average customer rating:

Rough Guide to Latin America
Various Artists
Manufacturer: World Music Network
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | International | Styles | Music

Afro-Cuban | Caribbean & Cuba | International | Styles | Music

General | Latin Music | Styles | Music

Latin Pop | Latin Music | Styles | Music

Salsa | Latin Music | Styles | Music

Latin Pop | Compilations | Latin Music | Styles | Music

Son | Latin Music | Styles | Music

Latin Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music

General | Compilations | Rock | Styles | Music

Latin Music | Box Sets | Stores | Music

General | International | Indie Music | Stores | Music

General | Latin Music | Indie Music | Stores | Music
Similar Items:

Rough Guide to Africa

ASIN: B00005M0EE
Release Date: 2001-07-31

Tracks:

Saudacao A Ossain - Leci Brandao
Jogo Rasteiro - Maocyr Luz
Pelo Telefone - Paulo Moura E Os Batutas
Choro #2 - Duo Barbieri-Schneiter
Axe De Langa (Pai Maior) - Dona Ivone Lara
Mangueira Chegou - Velha Guarda Da Mangueira
Quem Me Ve Sorrindo - Cartola
O Que E O Que E - Zizi Possi
Malandro E Malandro E Mane E Mane - Bezerra Da Silva
Manifestacao Do Povo - Da Melhor Qualidade
Nostradamus - Grc Escola De Samba Vai Vai
Meu Viver - Elton Medeiros
Feliz Eu Vivo No Morro - Monarco
Infra Estrutura - Nelson Sargento
Favela - Jards Macale
Olha Ze - Osvaldo Periera
A Cabeca - Familia Roitman
O Mar Serenou - Luciana Mello

Tracks:

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

Tracks:

Me Dejo Picao - Jose Alberto 'El Canario'
El Negro Bembon - Celia Cruz
Raquel - La Misma Gente
A Toda Cuba Le Gusta - Afro-Cuban All Stars
Al Que Le Pique - Charlie Palmieri
La Pollera Colora' - La Sonora Poncena
Roberto - Somos 21 (We Are 21)
Descargarana - Jimmy Bosch
Coco My My - Tambo
Lloraras - Oscar D'Leon
Los Hermanos Pinzones - Miguelito Valdes
Prestame La Olla Teresa - Joe Cuba
Tibiri Tabara - Sierra Maestra
Mariana - Son De La Loma
La Murga - Willie Colon

Tracks:

Get Together - Tony Allen
Loi - Koffi Olomide
Mahanhela - Mabulu
Joe Le Taxi - Sharleene Boodram
Jaro - Impact All Stars
En Guantanamo - Septeto Nacional Ignacio Pineiro
Mabarane - Sheer All Stars
Pyar Ka Hai Bairi - Sangeeta
Akata Sun Dunchi - Takashi Hirayasu/Bob Brozman
James Bond Theme - The Surf Champlers
Griogal Cridhe - Mac-talla
Maggio - Riccardo Tesi/Banditaliana
Antin Mikko - JPP
Bassa - Momo Wandel Soumah
Salimata - Ifang Bondi
Que Pena - Samuelito Almonte Y Su Conjunto Tipico
The Secrets Of The Life Tree - Kroke

Amazon.com

Whoever put together The Rough Guide to Latin America discs must have been spoilt for choice, so numerous are the Rough Guide compilations from this area. But this box still packs a powerful punch. Cuban Son makes the perfect backdrop to Buena Vista excitements, showing how long and consistent this art form's history is. Its opening track is a sweetly magical "Guantanamera" by the Septeto Nacional, but other tracks dig back in time--to the earthy voice of Maria Teresa Vera and the high exaltation of Beny More, and to the democratically individualized tones of the Familia Valera Miranda. Fitting that the final track should come from Los Jubilados--the Old-Age Pensioners--in this genially gerontocratic form. Meanwhile, the Salsa Dance album will show 21st-century salsa freaks how deep their own roots go, with classic tracks from the 1960s and '70s. Here you'll find everything from the street-kid exuberance of Joe Cuba to the sumptuous harmonies of Willie Colon's brass arrangements; from the acoustic of long-gone ballrooms to the overheated excitement of salsa halls today. And while salsa's roots reside in New York, Samba reflects the music's origins 500 years earlier in Salvador (Bahia), Brazil. This is rougher stuff, as befits a poorer country. It sometimes sounds almost gnarled (as in Dona Ivone Lara's number), but is marvelously infectious as a result. One samba de terreiro from the 1940s--designed to be played when the group is off carnival duty--positively reeks of sun and booze. The final track, by Luciana Mello, unfolds over the sound of waves crashing on the beach: one more reminder of the beauty and variety of a tradition before the advent of electronic technology. The final CD--The Rough Guide Collection--is all you need to launch yourself on further seas of exploration to every corner of the globe. --Michael Church

Album Description

Latin music is one of the fastest growing genres in music today. This box set covers some of the most popular styles by internationally renowned artists from the Latin world. From the legendary Cuban son, the dance rhythms of salsa and summer sounds of samba, this collection is an indispensable introduction to Latin music. Expand your mind. This 4 CD box set (brick pack) has the following CD's 1. Rough Guide To Samba 2. Rough Guide To Cuban Son 3. Rough Guide To Salsa Dance 4. Rough Guides Collection. 2001 World Music Network release.