Customer Reviews

Cuba

5 star:		(21)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

A superb collection of Cuban songs that explores the various styles with complete professionalism. Some of the BVSC stars are here, such as Ibrahim Ferrer and Eliades Ochoa. Ferrer opens the CD to get you right into the mood with his beautiful voice soaring behind driving rhythmns as he improvises while a chorus encourages his improvisaation. Every track is superb, rich with the flavor of Cuba, con sabor. I can't get enough of Eliades Ochoa so this CD was a delight as he sings in his soulful mannner one of my favorite songs "Al Vaiven a mi Carreta". The character of this song is perfect for Ochoa as it laments the life of a field worker. The variety is one of the strong points of this CD as it constantly changes so you never get tired of a particular style, variety IS the spice of life afterall. If you're into Cuban music this is a super collection of songs by some of the best performers. Sierra Maestra knocks your socks off with their beautiful song "El Reloj de Pastora". There is a play on words as they say "Se me paraba", (chorus, mi reloj) as I was in your doorway, fuuny sexual stuff if you speak Spanish. Add this to your Cuban collection, the booklet is superb, complete with a glossary of Cuban music terms and a bilingual biography on each featured artist. This music will have you dancing or at least moving your feet, if not you need your pulse checked.

This is a great Compilation of Cuban music specially for anyone who hasn't been exposed to the distinctive sound of Cuba. It interject party salsa beat then the next track would be kinda sad and romantic with undulating drums and melancolic trumpets. Slow or fast you'll find that your hips and feet are doing some pretty strange things once you push play. Bet you never knew that you can dance around your kitchen floor before. Never mind that your spanish is a little shaky. Just read the insert if you must know the meaning of each song, but it is the melody, the salsa beat that will make carry you away. And also the art cover is beautiful to look at. In fact most Putumayo CD have these really beautiful art work, you'd want to collect them all.

En este disco, tal como los otros discos de paises de putumayo que tengo, pone diferentes grupos que se destacan entre los musicos de ese pais. Pero por alguna razon en este disco putumayo decidio hacer una compilacion de son, en vez de los diferentes estilos conocidos de Cuba. El son esta bueno, ya como lo dicen todos los otros que han criticado el disco, pero me quede esperando por la musica afrocubana, el guaguanco y los cantos Yoruba, que ha tenido tanta influencia en la musica latina moderna. Tampoco hay cha-cha, un estilo tipico de baile cubano.
Por lo tanto si quieres algo que te de un mordisco pequen~o de toda Cuba, este no lo es. Pero si quieres son, paraste en el lugar correcto.

In my growing collection of Cuban music, this album is one of my favorites. Too often I come across Cuban CD's that only have the occasional good track. Putumayo Presents Cuba is great from son to son.

I have never Been to Cuba. Would love to go... I love Cuban music, and this cd is excellent. It is not repetitive and each song has it's own flair. Definentely a good Cuban selection. I don't know how authentic it is, but knowing Putumayo, it is probably close!

I had heard of Putumayo, and as a world music fan, I always wanted to get my hands on one of their collections. I finally got Putumayo Presents: Cuba at a music store in Nashville and I was hooked immediately. Every track is great, but, as a fan of the more fast-paced Latin music, I would have to say that my favorite tracks are "Compositor Confundido" (by one of my favorite Buena Vista estrellas, Ibrahim Ferrer), "Campina," "Sabroso Como el Guarapo," and "Mamí Me Gustó," & "Boliviana" (2 classics). Also worth mentioning is "Al Vaiven de mi Carreta," which demonstrates the emotional oice of Eliades Ochoa (another star of Buena Vista) and "Mecanica de Amor," which is a very great "hip-hop" style song (Hip-Hop has in recent years become very popular in Cuba, I've heard). This disc is definitely a must-have for any Cuban music or worldbeat enthusiast.

I bought this album because I really like the first two artists. They perform with the Buuna Vista Social Club. What I discovered is that I like the other songs even better. A great collection of cuban musicians.

ok, everyone here recommended Sierra Maestra's "El Reloj De Pastora", and while it's good - no doubt about it, my soul has bonded to another track.
it is track no. 6, "Mecanica de Amor", which I deeply regret Amazon not putting a sample of it on this site, just so everyone will become instantly addicted to it as I have. I am listening to it right now. Bliss.
The magic of that song is the use of violins instead of the usual brass instruments. There isn't a trumpet to be found here. as a result the sound is softer, and much richer. I can also say that all my salsero friends here in Israel agree that this is the best track on this CD. my best guy friends crowned it (I quote): "it's a masterpiece!"
other highlights: song no. 8 ("Boliviana", wonderful wonderful harmony), and song no. 5 ("Sabroso Como El Guarapo"). Both feature wonderful flute solos, especially "Boliviana", which is on the jazzier side.
Just buy the CD. Now.

This CD is lots of fun. If you are new to Cuban music, Putumayo has put together a delightful overview. Based on this purchase, I hope to get my hands on more CDs from Putumayo. Highly recommended.

I am always skeptical of collections, but I have to admit that Putamayo has not disappointed me with any of their CDs (I own 4 of them). Cuban music is one of my favorite genres, so I was expecting to tear this apart, but in fact it's a very authentic collection with a good selection of different Cuban styles. Every track is excellent, but my all time favorite is the first one. If you have like the Buena Vista collection, run, don't walk to pick this one up too and it will surpass your expectations.