Customer Reviews

Arte Del Sabor

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I've been hooked on the old Cubans since I took a chance on BVSC before the hype caught on. Discovered Cachao around the time Andy Garcia found him. And have filled my CD collection with a motley assortment of winners (and a few losers.) I am convinced there are seven melodies that get recycled on every CD. And everyone has a slightly different take on it. That said, this is an incredibly satisfying disc that reflects the average 150 years of experience brought to the session by these guys. Maybe the precision of their youth is missing - but none of the passion is. There's an ease and familiarity and comfort level of old friends making their favorite music come alive. And as for Cachao - his bowing is more immediate in this small group than it is in his Master Sessions CDs - even though he was fronting the orchestra then and is supporting Valdes here. Overall, a wonderful low key (as low key as latin music can be), and satisfying listen.

This CD is like sitting on a swing on a summer day -- gentle and fun. There's a lot to be savoured here. It's like a Latin lullaby.

This is an indispensable CD for lovers of Cuban music (not to speak of cuban lovers of cuban music). All of the cuts except Route 66, are music that we have heard since childhood. And they sound that way even when they are not played in the traditional way. You want to know why Chucho Valdes plays like he does? Listen to his Dad here. This is a CD not to be missed.

EL Arte del Sabor is an accurate title for this great CD by the Bebo Valdes Trio. The Trio composed of the great pianist Bebo Valdes, master congero Carlos "Patato" Valdes and the legendary bass player Israel Lopez "Cachao" is a combination made in heaven. Paquito D'Rivera makes a guest appearance on a few of the tracks, in which case the trio becomes a quartet. Tracks like "Ogguere" or "El Maranon" just blew me away. Each musician shines through with great clarity and fantastic swing. These legendary musicians lay no waste in preparing these pieces which such a pleasant savor or "sabor" that the music simply overwhelms and entices the senses. A must have for any Jazz fan or Latin music fan. If you love good music, get this album - It does not disappoint. I highly recommend it.

I have a radio show on an independent station in upstate New York, and this album was on the playlist. I just grabbed it because the name sounded neat, "the art of flavor," but was blown away by the music. Incredible Cuban rhythms played by masterful musicians, featuring the incomparable Paquito D'Rivera. Standouts were Ogguere and Romance en La Habana. Although some tracks were old-fashioned, there were enough standouts to keep my attention. A must have for any fan of jazz or latin music

The Bebo and Cachao rendition of Trio Matamoros' "Lagrimas Negras" appears in the Calle 54 movie CD, not in El Arte del Sabor.

So, "Buche Y Pluma" by itself may not be worth the price of the CD, but get it, since it is a very fine recording. Repeat, all of the cuts are expertly and *tastefully* done. The CD gets better the more you listen to it and appreciate its nuances.

This was an awsome CD - he's a very talented man, and great on the piano. Some really good Cuban jazz. Take it from someone who knows.

So where to start with this CD? To call it a masterpiece would be an understatement. This is definitely a worthwhile CD (and purchase). The personnel consists of old, seasoned veterans of latin jazz. The bandleader is 83-year-old pianist Bebo Valdes, the bass player is Israel López, known as "Cachao" (also 83) and 75-year-old Carlos "Patato" Valdés is the percussionist. El Arte del Sabor, which translates as "The Art of Flavor" is fresh and alive and tough-minded. To my ears, this album is the finest Latin jazz release of 2001 and it shows and you can hear a certain type of amicable intimacy between the players. Paquito D'Rivera stops by on sax for three numbers and does a good job on these tracks.

The true gem of this CD lies in the original trio of Bebo, Cachao and Patato and in the wonderful sound quality this CD exudes in every single track. The playing is tight and very refined. After listening to this CD time and time again the only complaint I have is that there is only 1 CD. After a few listenings you will be craving more of these true maestros of music. If you enjoy or are interested in this album please check out "Lagrimas Negras by Bebo & Cigala" and "Calle 54 - The Original Soundtrack" as they are also worthy of praise, both for content and sound quality.

If you like Bebo, this recording is a must have! Mellow, soulful, alive! It's 17 tracks of vintage stuff. And, I think the album is no longer available (out of print)? Look for it used (it's worth the price).

The Trio is composed of the great pianist Bebo Valdes, master congero Carlos "Patato" Valdes and the legendary bass player Israel Lopez "Cachao".

A very high quality recording, and each track is tastefully done. Gets even better as you listen more and more - lots to hear! Highly recommended.

The jazzy versions of Trio Matamoros' classic "Lagrimas Negras" (Bebo and Cachao) and also of "Buche Y Pluma" (Bebo, Cachao and Patato) are worth the price of the CD by themselves; the remaining cuts are icing on the dulce de leche.

The three old masters (plus Paquito D' Rivera in a couple of the cuts) play mostly classics/standards with a sense of propriety. That was a wordy way of saying that this CD sounds like the notes and pecussion beats were placed on the tracks like a painter puts color on a canvas, deliberately, like they were meant to be there.

This instrumental CD (thankfully without the annoying, idiotic and intrusive lyrics producers just have to stick in most Latin records) is another example of Latin music at its finest.