Customer Reviews

100% Azucar: The Best of Celia Cruz (Con La Sonora Matancera)

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3 star:		(1)
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1 star:		(1)

 

 

Celia Cruz is a very talented artist. Her music speaks of the rich Cuban culture from which her experience grows. In this particular collection, Cruz sings songs of celebration in her native Spanish tongue, as well of songs of praise and reverence to Santeria/Yoruba orishas in the Yoruba language. And one need not be fluent in Spanish and/or Yoruba to appreciate Celia's music. Her lively rythms and honey-coated voice carry the beat straight to your feet (by way of the heart). This is a collection that all are sure to enjoy.

"100% Azucar" is the perfect introduction to the magic that was Celia Cruz. Recorded when she was the vocalist for the legendary Sonora Matancera, this is Celia Cruz at her best, which is saying a lot. Celia was the Queen of Latin Music, and there will never be another one like her. AZUCAR!!!

I just cannot say enough good things about this album! Celia Cruz and La Sonora Matancera are just fantastic. This is music recorded, mostly, around 1951, which was during the Golden Age of Cuban jazz, when Rita Montaner and the other pioneers of this music were still alive. Artists combined the conga drums with sacred rhythms of Santeria into their songs, and they even sang their praises openly in some of the songs - which Celia does on at least one of the cuts. The music is so moving, and her voice is so entrancing and captivating, that she absolutely puts a spell on her listeners. It is amazing how, is Mexico, for instance, all living generations seem to know most of these songs by heart. This music - that is to say, these exact songs, and these versions of them - were probably the most popular Cuban recordings of all time. Everywhere in Latin America, Celia is still number one, because her music is truly immortal - which is a phrase that is bandied about with great alacrity, I know - but this album puts the true meaning back into the word and holds up other examples of its hackneyed use to shame. I don't know what else to say, other than this music will just plain make you happy when you listen to it. It will put a smile on your face, and make your heart feel warm, and just give you that warm fuzzy feeling that everyone talks about.

Fabulous examples of Cuba's best kept secret (from the US, that is)! Celia Cruz is truly the Queen of Salsa.

Celia Cruz's music does not disappoint. We will dance with you forever, Celia. Thank you for the music.

All I can say is WOW! I must confess, not being well-versed in the names of stars of Latin music, that I had never heard of Celia Cruz until the last few days when there was much press coverage of her passing. This morning I was idly scanning through channels on my short-wave radio and happened upon a Radio Marti program paying tribute to Celia Cruz, and her early recordings in particular. I heard many of the selections on this CD and I can't tell you how much I enjoyed them! Her music is infectious! This CD goes on my wish list, soon to be in my shopping cart!

In this colection you have the opportunity to hear Celia Cruz as a young vocalist and you will instantly understand why she is considered such a legend. Due to the age of some of the recordings the sound quality is not the best but SHE is so good it doesn't matter.

This is one of the CD that really moves people who loved Celia. Her voice is so young and strong, amazing interpretation.

I purchased this CD about a month ago, and listen to it everyday. Her voice is fantastic, the lyrics are swingin', and the trumpets loud and brassy. I don't know how I survived without this CD!

To the people who were dissapointed with this album and cited it not having some of her newer work...this album is a collection of her best hits with La Sonora Matancera... a classical salsa group of the 50's and 60's. This is a collection of her early work...and in my opinion...the best era of Salsa. This music has so much more traditional sound and richer flavor of Cuba and musica criolla than anything modern.

I'm 27 years old, and almost all my salsa collection is pre 1980's. This CD is gorgeous. If you like the older era of salsa, this CD is for you.