Infectious Music From a Small Island
In
celebration of Cuba’s
musical contribution to world music, Putumayo Music has released “Rumba, Mambo
and Cha Cha Cha”, a ten song compilation by musical acts from all over the
globe. Kicking off the set is “Guajira and Chachacha” by the French band
Conjunto Massalia. Founded in 1990, the group has released four successful
albums, the most recent being “Division”, where this snappy chacha first
appeared. Who said the French can’t dance? The second number is “Potpourri de
Chacha” by the Cubano sextet Tradicula. The group’s leader, Pedro Vargas, has
worked to present son music with a modern twist and this lively medley-inspired
song does just that.
Julio “Fruko”
Estrada started his music career in 1968 at the tender age of fifteen, singing
for the popular Colombian band Los Corraleros. That same year, the group
visited New York City,
where Fruko witnessed first hand that city’s burgeoning salsa scene. Inspired,
he founded Fruko y Sus Tesos in 1970. The band has recorded six albums and is
referred by many Colombians as the country’s leading export. On this
compilation, they offer their rendition of the popular “Mambo #5”, originally
recorded by Perez Prado in the early Fifties and later rejuvenated by Lou Bega.
Fruko has given it new life, once again, with his trademark delivery.
Truly indicative
of the global spectrum Cuban music has embraced is the song “Esperanza”, the
entry by an eleven piece Scottish band called Salsa Celtica. The band
originated in Edinburgh
with the idea of fusing classical music with jazz and salsa to create their own
genre with a marriage of musical styles. They took a gamble with this project
but he result speaks for itself in its lively, unique style.
Other standouts
on this compilation disc include Grammy nominees Angel Melendez & the 911
Mambo Orchestra who hale from Chicago
and have received an Indie Music Award for “Best Latin Album”. Their
contribution to this CD, “Cereza Rosa” is an excellent vehicle for displaying
their deep, brassy sound. In addition, Asere is a conglomerate of seven
musicians who have played together for fifteen years and recorded four albums.
“Oriente” is a toe-tapper, guaranteed to get you out of your chair. They are
currently working on a project with legendary Billy Cobham, enough credence for
anyone’s resume.
Orquesta la Moderna Tradicion
assembled in the San Francisco Bay Area, where they play the night club circuit
regularly. But the members are Texans, Venezuelans, Cubans, as well as
Californians, all with a similar jazz/salsa passion. Their song “Mi Cha Cha
Cha” pretty much speaks for itself. And the quirkiest delivery has been saved
for last: Tres Muchachos & Companeros from St. Petersburg, Russia,
performing “Pa’ Mantener Tradicion” from their premiere CD released last year,
titled, ”Bombo Mambo”. Who could have ever guessed that these two worlds would
intertwine? Fidel Castro must be having fits: he undoubtedly had been sure that
his peoples’ communism would emanate from his tiny island to embrace and
invigorate the world; instead, it is the music of Cuba that has sustained.
The CD is
available at the Jaime Peligro book stores in Playa Tamarindo, Quepos and Nuevo
Arenal, where they will sample the music for their customers. Any comments
concerning this article are gladly welcomed.
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