Customer Reviews

Cafe Cubano

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Putumayo's "Cafe Cubano" is the latest in the world music's cafe series,and so far,the best. While Italian&French Cafe are bland collections, the Cuban one is a savory blend of old and new music. The compilation is like a mojito-a cold limeade with the extra kick of rum. There's even a recipe--a mojito dipping sauce made with lime,lemon&orange juices.

"Cafe Cubano" opens with Jose Conde y Ola Fresca's "El Chacal",a jazzy critique of Che Guevara. Conde is an alum of Boston's Berklee College of Music, but one wonders if this song will go over well in nearby Cambridge, with its Proletarian thrift shop&its Communist-themed bar. Ignacio Carrillo's "Lagrimas Negras" is a melancholy ode to unrequited love. Pedro Luis Ferrer,a critic of the Cuban government,sings a duet with his daughter Lena that's hardly political. Lena Ferrer belts out "Ay,mi vidita" about giving in to love. Rene Ferrer's "Como a cada manana" is Cuban music meeting smooth R&B. The Magic Orchestra of Havana has a retro-style song with "Morenita." German Obregon's "Pincel Campesino" is a pastoral ode to country life. Armando Garzon's "Escandalo" is a savory Mexican bolero. Kelvis Ochoa's "Fue Una De Mambo" bridges the past and present. Ochoa blends retro-style mambo with reggae.

"Cafe Cubano" is a delicious album. Pour yourself a mojito on a hot summer evening and enjoy!

Putumayo has been the megastar label for introductory anthologies of popular musics of the world, and almost all of its series deserve 4 or 5 stars. This latest work, in follow-up to the excellent and more historic and broad "Cuba" CD, is another winner, with focus on contemporary Cuban acoustic artists living within and beyond the island nation. Some selections have the classic urban Buena Vista Club son feel, while others emerge from the countryside with guajiras and trovas [troubadour songs]. Boleros are also included. The profoundly influential music of Cuba remains vital with new explorations, including some that tweak the ears of Cuban authorities. This collection is worthy for your ears and enjoyment.

A mighty fine set of contemporary Cuban (and Cuban-style) music, spanning a decade from 1999-2008. Emigres are included as well as regional artists from across the island, younger artists and Buena Vista-style old-timers, large salsa bands and urgent acoustic balladeers, political singers and romantic traditionalists - it's a nice cross-section of music and very little of it veers into the slicker, poppier jazz terrain of the `80s-era bands such as Irakere, et. al. Most of these artists will be new to US listeners, and they'll be welcome as well, as this is an eminently listenable, engaging album. Another strong release from the pleasantly revitalized Putumayo label. (DJ Joe Sixpack, Slipcue music guide)

Great music for the laid-back tranquil cafe type of person! If you are always on the run or simply having a day off this CD will give you the kind of soothing atmosphere you need. I have just recieved this CD today and have been playing it in my office switching of with the CD :Putumayo Presents: Cuba". I'm big on espresso and mojitos, this is just the right type of acoustic melodies with various intruments jamming and singers carrying the beats to make your comfortable afternoon or mid-day a relaxing one with a groove that makes you want to dance a little like that of a Cuban Cafe. I love the CD!

I PURCHASED THIS CD FOR MY BABY SINCE BIRTH. NOW A TODDLER IT IS ONE OF HER FAVORITE CD'S TO SLEEP TO. I LOVE LISTENING TO IT ALSO.

When I got Cafe Cubano I thought the music was great and it really satisfied me. This is a must buy!

Other reviewers pretty much describe it well. My favorite is "Corazon". I heard it on the radio, searched it out, then found this very nice collection. It does transport you to tropical place.

My mother is Cuban - and these songs take me back home (my family lives half way across the country). This music is like chicken soup for the soul.

I bought this Cd a couple of weeks ago and i got in love with four songs. The best songs (for me): Ay mi Vidita. I love Lena's voice and the music is excellent. Lagrimas Negras, good song. The other one is Morenita which was really were done. Pincel Campesino, excellent singer, beautiful music, excellent production. The song El chacal, even thought, the music is good, the singer is horrible.

Yo compre este CD hace unas dos semanas atras. A mi solo me gustan cuatro canciones: Ay mi vidita...Estoy completamente enamorado de la voz de Lena Ferrer y de la musica que la acompana. lagrimas Negras, muy buena cancion.
Morenita es una cancion muy bien hecha. Excellente production. Pincel campesino, la voz de este cantante es fabulosa y su musica es muy pegajosa.
El Chacal, aunque la musica es buena el cantante es horrible.

This is a very good compilation with true non commercial artist.
A must have if you like this kind of music.