Customer Reviews

Late Night Sessions

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

 

 

While not as joyous and buoyant as "A Toda Cuba Le Gusta," this album is a good cross-section of Cuban and Afro-Cuban rhythms. Outstanding vocals by the legendary Pio Leyva (Leiva, here)and Perico Hernandez, and great percussion (to be expected). Chucho Valdes' piano solo on "Chuco Carabali" is an eclectic mix of great jazz and soulful Cubanismo. The album isn't the best of the genre, but five or six of the eight tracks are still far above average. Surely worth your time!

After hearing this album I was amazed at the craftmanship of these Cuban Masters. They definately took me on a 'caravana' journey of the sounds of Cuba. The inspirations of vocalist Lázaro Galarraga and the bass legend Al McKibbon blew the roof off of my house with their sounds. If you love Buena Vista Social Club you will not go wrong with this album!

I write this review from the perspective of an extreme novice of the genre. I actually listened to this CD at a Borders and was absolutely taken in (especially by the infectious beat and tempo of the first track). I had been inspired to check it out by the popularity of Buena Vista Social Club and actually found myself enjoying this CD more. At the most basic level, I enjoy the range of songs on this album and the incredible musicianship. Going beyond this, it seemed to me to be a good introduction (in part because of the range of songs but also because of the range of musicians) and I feel like I have already learned a lot. I cannot comment, obviously, in reference to other artists or albums in this genre, but I can assert unequivocally how much I ENJOY this album. It has worn very well and I suspect will give me a great deal of upbeat listening pleasure for a long time to come.