Ay Caramba

Ska Cubano | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (July 11, 2006)
• Original Release Date: 2006
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Cumbancha
• ASIN: B000FUIV4C
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #190,326 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Leave it to a British band to combine Latin rhythms, Jamaican mento, and ska beats, all dressed in retro zoot suits. The group is fronted by Cuban vocalist Ben Billy and London-born singer Nathan "Natty Bo" Lerner, with Jamaican trumpeter Eddie "Tan Tan" Thornton, Japanese saxophonist Megumi Mesaku, and Havana bassist Ray Crespo. For the most part, the music is a surprising melange of Beny More-type vocals and upbeat ska rhythms made famous by The Skatalites, as evidenced by the snappy instrumental "Jezebel," the hypnotizing mid-tempo "Soy Campesino," and the humorous title track. Also included are the Colombian cumbia "Tungarara" and Miguelito Valdes' "Babalu." Before purists attach the gimmick flag to the ensemble's second CD, they should please note that a few of the creators of ska were born in Cuba, and since African descendants are the prime creators of Caribbean music, this effort represents a reunion of kindred rhythms. --Eugene Holley, Jr.

Product Description

Ska Cubano takes classic Jamaican ska, blends it with Afro-Cuban son and salsa, throws in some retro swing and Colombian cumbia for spice, and creates a magic musical concoction that will get your feet moving and your hips shaking.

The UK world music magazine Songlines voted "Ay Caramba" one of the top 10 world music releases of the year, saying the record is, "A triumph. Remaining seated is not an option." Mojo magazine exclaimed the album, "Will have you on your feet before you've had time to consider the whys and wherefores."

Ska Cubano’s "Ay Caramba!" is the first release from the new record label Cumbancha, which was founded by the long-time head of A&R and music research at the popular world music label Putumayo.

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars "Ay Caramba " is Good!, September 25, 2006

By 

Oswald Placeres "Mr. Pleasures" (The Balkans) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Ay Caramba (Audio CD)

While traveling from Marrakech to Agadir my wife had the Moroccan radio station on, we noticed that the song playing was in English with a Latin beat, after the song was over the DJ announced it as "SKA CUBANO", what impressed me was that the singer sounded like the late Cuban singer Beny More! Later that night while staying in the Agadir Beach Club we heard the song again. We approach the DJ and he informed us that it was a recording from an English man and a Cuban singer who called themselves the SKA CUBANO. I was amazed when I heard the remaining songs it was fascinating. We danced all night to the music, and all the people seem to like the sound. Cumbia, Jamaican Ska, Jazz, and Cuban music altogether sounded great. My favorites are Soy Campesino, Tabu, and Istanbul. All the songs are very good and the back up band is outrageously good. Buy it and experience the excellent combination of this CD. My Mediterranean girl insisted that I write a review. Check it out on the web-site and listen to the songs.

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A musical style that should have been, July 24, 2006

By 

Scott F. Miller (GA, USA) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Ay Caramba (Audio CD)

The fact that the label this artist records on is associated with Putumayo is what initially drew me to it. One listen to the samples and I knew I had to add this to my collection.

If you aren't dancing after a few bars of the first track, best go see the doctor because either your ears don't work right or your rhythm bone is broke!

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A little licky from the big bamboo, April 28, 2008

By 

Pieter Los "plons" (misserie, usa) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Ay Caramba (Audio CD)

Just another must have. Some covers of great ska songs, some truely funny originals, all very dancable, bouncing off the walls, but sweet you know. Lots of horns, ska and very cubano and very nicely produced. One of the last tracks is much more of a throwback to african roots. That little licky bamboo song, I'd heard it before from Prince buster, but this one made me laugh again.