Best of Ng La Banda

NG La Banda | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (February 1, 2000)
• Original Release Date: February 1, 2000
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Blue Note Records
• ASIN: B000025AGW
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Audio Cassette
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #185,679 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #52 in Music > Indie Music > World Music > Caribbean & Cuba

Track Listings

1. Papa Chango

2. Verano Habanero

3. Bonito Y Sabroso

4. Cara De Guante

5. No Me La Molestes Mas

6. La Bruja

7. Veneno

8. La Apretadora

9. Cienfuegos

10. Conga De Los Refranes

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com essential recording

NG (short for Nueva Generacion) La Banda was the most popular and prolific Cuban band of the '90s. Led by former Irakere flutist José Luis Cortés, the group is famous for its propulsive timba grooves and a four-piece horn section known as "Los Metales del Terror"--in English, "the Terror Brass." This 10-track collection of the ensemble's definitive recordings for the Cuban Caribe label opens with a live recording of "Papa Chango" that illustrates La Banda's dynamic strengths. Vocalist Tony Cala is featured on a pair of tributes to the legendary Cuban singer Beny Moré, "Bonito y Sabroso" and "Cienfuegos." "Veneno," the title track from the group's 1997 album, showcases the comparatively cheesy salsa romantica singing of newcomer Jeny Valdes before the tune is rescued by some diabolically clever piano riffing. --Rick Mitchell

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars You should check this group out, May 2, 2001

By 

zipcat29 "zipcat29" (Baton Rouge, LA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Best of (Audio CD)

This album is very good, although I don't think it's their best. There are nice versions of Beny Moré's "Bonito y Sabroso" and "Cienfuegos." The songs "Cara de Guante" and "La Apretadora" are especially memorable, and will have you mentally replaying them all day. There is alot of overlap in the album "Veneno," which I believe is their best. Those overlap songs ("Verano Habanero," "Veneno," and "Conga de los Refranes") are super. If you're not the compulsive type who "delves deep" into a new band, either take this one or "Veneno." But you really can't go wrong buying both of these albums.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good compilations by NG, December 4, 2007

By 

quasar33 "quasar33" (Switzerland) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Best of (Audio CD)

The album cover and official Amazon review seen here refer to a compilation released on the Hemisphere label and not the album being sold (BMG label) by Amazon.

Still, both are worth buying. The BMG album is a compilation of NG's early-mid period and the Hemisphere one compiles their mid-late period.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Timba, January 27, 2006

By 

Marcos "salsero" (California, USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Best of Ng La Banda (Audio CD)

Este grupo fue el primer grupo timbero, y el primero que yo escuche. Hay un sonido de la calle habanera que se escucha en las canciones de este disco, diferente de la salsa escuchada en Puerto Rico y USA por inovaciones y cambios de estilo en la Cuba de hoy en la percusion y los metales. El estilo de los vocalistas es tambien diferente, mas agresivo pero sin tener lenguaje en mal gusto.

Es un buen disco para cualquier fanatico de la musica latina tropical, ya que de esta banda sale el molde de las bandas Cubanas modernas. Si eres Cubano y no sabes de ellos debes comprarlo, y si no quizas aprendas un poco, como lo hice yo, de esta isla tan cercana a nosotros, pero a la misma vez tan distante.