Alma De Cuba [Box set, Compilation, Limited Collector's Edition]

Arsenio "Artie" Rodriquez | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (May 13, 2008)
• Number of Discs: 6
• Format: Box set, Compilation, Limited Collector's Edition
• Note on Boxed Sets: During shipping, discs in boxed sets occasionally become dislodged without damage. Please examine and play these discs. If you are not completely satisfied, we'll refund or replace your purchase.
• Label: Tumbao Cuban Classics
• Run Time: 467 minutes
• ASIN: B0011X0LMW
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #116,694 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

The appearance of Arsenio Rodríguez's ensemble in 1940 created a style that, because of its instrumental set-up and Arsenio's conception of harmony and rhythm, would change forever the path of popular Afro-Cuban music. Arsenio's deep knowledge of African culture and folklore, and the addition of a second trumpet, a piano and a tumbadora to the classic septet, converged in a new style of son, which became known as the son montuno. Later, Arsenio would adapt the traditional guaguancó to his son montuno, creating a new style of guaguancós, uniquely and characteristically his, that the dancers in the most humble quarters of La Habana soon made their own. This 6-CD collection (3 double digipacks) gathers, for the first time ever, all his recordings for RCA Victor (1940-1956). It also includes two booklets with photos, history, discography and anecdotes. The first one, written by the musicologist David Garcia, is a fine review of the life and works of "El Mago del Tres." The second one was written by Jordi Pujol, producer of this project. It includes a comprehensive discography of Arsenio's ensemble, and recounts some interesting anecdotes about the musicians and singers that were part of the group until 1956. We hope this project will help immortalize and spread the musical works of Arsenio Rodríguez, "El Alma de Cuba." -- "Featuring: Miguelito Cuní, "Lilí" Martínez, Felix Chappotín, "Chocolate" Alfonso, René Scull, Rubén González, "Papa Kila."

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

23 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Among the most important recordings of the 20th Century, February 25, 2008

By 

A. K. Moore (Santa Cruz, CA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Alma De Cuba (Audio CD)

Arsenio Rodríguez is arguably the most important figure in the history of Latin music. The recordings that establish him as such are the ones he made in Cuba in the 40s and 50s and this box set has all of them with one group of exceptions (see below).

If you want to get up to speed on Arsenio, here's a crash course from someone who has gone down that road:

1) Google "arsenio ayala FIU" - this will take you to an extraordinary online discography which lists all of Arsenio's Cuban recordings in chronological order. The box set reviewed here follows this list exactly, with one group of recordings omitted. These can all be gotten on one CD. To find it, search amazon.com for "arsenio legendary sessions". If you buy that single CD and this box set, you'll have everything.

2) Search amazon.com for "garcia arsenio transnational". This is the definitive book on Arsenio. Its author also wrote one of the two lengthy booklets that's included in the box set.

3) Search amazon.com for "cuba and its music sublette". This book is the best and most enjoyable way to get familiar with the "big picture" and to see how and why Arsenio is at the very center of it all.

4) You may be interested in an online article I wrote on Arsenio. To find it, google "timba arsenio".

5) Google "arsenio emiliano KFPA" to find streaming audio of several 3-hour radio programs devoted exclusively to Arsenio, with multiple interviews.

Good luck!

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A tremendous release from a tremendous label., May 24, 2008

By 

KP "KP" (Miami, FL United States) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Alma De Cuba (Audio CD)

Arsenio Rodriguez. I can't do justice to the man's genius, other than to say he is to modern music what Da Vinci is to the Renaissance.

Top notch production from Tumbao. While others have tried to rehash, repack, and all too often rip-off Cuban music, Tumbao has made it their goal to preserve and respect. This wonderful sets joins their Habanero and Beny More sets as a work of love that anyone seriusly interested in the basis of popular music (in its true sense) must have.

The set contains two booklets listing ALL of the artists that performed in every track (something sorely lacking in most releases but vital to the students of this transcendental art that is Cuba son), a survey of the different artist that played at each position (lead, second voice, trumpet, etc.). Excellent photos, the Spanish language productions are the primary focus and a full English translation is included.