Congo to Cuba

Various Artists (Artist) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (May 21, 2002)
• Original Release Date: 2002
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Putumayo World Music
• ASIN: B0000658O5
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #24,223 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Val' Carretero - Chico Albarez (Cuba)

2. Safiatou - Mama Sissoko (Guinea)

3. Canto A La Vueltabajera - Alfredo Valdes (Cuba)

4. Yiri Yiri Boum - Gnonnas Pedro (Benin)

5. Lekela Muadi - Tshala Muana (Congo)

6. Le Monde Est Fou - Balla Tounkara (Mali)

7. Son Soneate - Laba Sosseh (Gambia)

8. Igualita Que Tu - Monte Adentro (Cuba)

9. Ritmo de Mi Son - Chocolate Armenteros (Cuba)

10. Tougnafo - Mama Keita (Guinea)

11. African Salsa - Pape Fall (Senegal)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

This compilation examines the connection between modern African music and Cuban styles that evolved from a slow-simmering cross-pollination of Spanish melodies and rhythms imported by homesick slaves. When Latin albums eventually found their way home to the Continent, local musicians immediately recognized the link and re-Africanized the tunes for their own markets. These versions then traveled back to the Caribbean, resealing the cultural circle and launching dozens of further permutations. The selections on this set are very well chosen, given that the subject is a huge one and a single CD is hardly adequate to the task. Gnonnas Pedro and Labah Soseh, two pioneering vocalists who hail from Benin and Gambia, respectively, receive well-deserved places of honor. Other master tracks include Congolese diva Tshala Muana's hypnotic "Lekela Muadi," and "Canto a la Vueltabajera" by Cuba's Alfredo Valdés, which abounds in goofy classical piano quotes. --Christina Roden

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Nice...Very Nice, July 9, 2003

By 

Anthony Moore "AntMoOAK" (Oakland) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Congo to Cuba (Audio CD)

I heard one of the songs at the San Francisco Latin Film Festival playing as the audience entered for the screening. I could not wait to ask the sound man for the title and I have not been disappointed. The songs I heard that night were Safiatou and the next song. Since I bought the CD earlier this year, I've been hooked. Very bright recording allows me to hear all the nuacnes of the melodic and percussion driven African and Latin music. I great find. I'm looking for other releases by these world artist on this compilation. Go get it.

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars latin and african paraiso, June 15, 2002

By 

pete saloutos (bainbridge island, wa USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Congo to Cuba (Audio CD)

as a listener of all sorts of interesting music, this complitation hits the spot. while i'm playing the cd i'm not sure if i'm in cuba or africa, but that doesn't matter. this is a must for those whoe like up tempo latin groove. hitting the repeat button over and over i feel the passion and soul of these artists. putamayo stepped to the plate, usually my only complaint is their compilations are too short, this one goes on......thanks for the groove...pete saloutos

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars putumayo at its best, February 1, 2009

By 

Brahea Edulis (Sète, France) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Congo to Cuba (Audio CD)

I have not much to add to previous comments, except ONE very important thing. You cannot listen to most of Putumayo Cds on Amazon.com, however you can listen to most of them on Amazon.fr . Just paste your item title on Amazon.fr and then click on "les ecouter tous" (listen to all).
Hope it helps.