Distinto Diferente

Afro-Cuban All Stars, Juan de Marco | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (November 23, 1999)
• Original Release Date: November 23, 1999
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Nonesuch
• ASIN: B000021XR7
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #36,412 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #9 in Music > World Music > Caribbean & Cuba > Afro-Cuban
  • #23 in Music > World Music > Caribbean & Cuba > Cuba > Salsa

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars ¿Distinto? ¿Diferente? ¡CLARO que Sí!, June 28, 2001

By 

BVSC fanatic (United States) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Distinto Diferente (Audio CD)

WARNING: The Afro Cuban All Stars' music is NOT your father's Desi Arnaz albums!

Having both this CD and "A Toda Cuba Le Gusta", I just don't know which I like best. This stuff is highly "picante" --"chiles habaneros" put to music!!!

To Juan de Marcos González, the REAL driving force behind the "Buena Vista Social Club" phenomenon and now "Afro Cuban All Stars", an enormous debt is owed by all who appreciate truly GREAT music. He's a modern musical HERO.

This man, with endless energy, profound passion and a winning smile, has probably done more in recent years to promote both traditional and modern Cuban music beyond Cuba's borders than any human being alive. I can't express the depth of my gratitude to this brilliant and enterprising man. Without him, who among us would have had the good fortune to enjoy Ibrahim Ferrer's magical voice?

Long before I discovered Cuban music (via BVSC), I was deeply in love with Mexican music of all genres, modern and traditional.

But Cuban music has a place of its own in the world of music. For, much like our own music in the United States, Cuban music is a fusion of European music with an African influence of great variety and, presumably, that of the indigenous populations. I have read that African slaves once accounted for 40% of the island's population, representing more than 100 tribal groups of the African continent. Because Cuba's European cultural influences differ from those of the United States, the resulting music is not the same. We have our blues and jazz; Cuba has its son montuno, guajira, guaracha, rumba, danzón, bolero and chachachá, to name only a few. A musical treasure chest!!!

It is precisely the richness of this Cuban musical heritage that Juan de Marcos understands, appreciates and celebrates like nobody else! And nobody else has been so generous in sharing this precious gift with the rest of the world.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart, Juan de Marcos González!

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Better and Hotter!, January 9, 2000

By 

Nicholas R. Duke "pickinnick" (Charlottesville, VA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Distinto Diferente (Audio CD)

If you liked the first album by the Afro-Cuban All Stars, this one will really hit the hot spot. It's really great! Well-produced and bigger band sound on many cuts with some of your favorite BVSC 'super stars' (Ibrahim, Barbarito). Juan de Marco should get the Grammy this time!

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Hot, Spicy, Fun!, July 28, 2001

By 

SJ Sellers "Smintie Fresh" (New York City) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Distinto Diferente (Audio CD)

This music is absolutely addicting! Great to listen to while whipping up dinner or whatever else. However, DO NOT LISTEN TO THIS WHILE DRIVING! You won't be able to sit still and you and your car will be dancing all over the road. I can't wait to hear more from this very talented, sexy, and lively bunch!