Customer Reviews

Mundo

5 star:		(29)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Salsa CD? World music CD? Yes, yes, and more. Mr. Blades continues to break out of his previously occupied space of creativity. On "Mundo", he travels beyond the universe of "Tiempos", his last musical effort.
Here, he is accompanied by the Editus Ensemble, an amazingly talented group of musicians that include not only Latin percussion, sax, horns and violin, but also bagpipe and Irish flute.
As always, Mr. Blades' lyrics are witty and engaging. You can grasp this, once you go beyond his infectious beats and imaginative musical undulations. Yes, you will want to dance to this. You will want to salsa, shimmy, zapatear and then do an Irish jig to his rendition of "Danny Boy". Here, Luba Mason's throat resonates like a songbird and makes you long for cool green Ireland. Ruben then brings you back with a blend of Irish and Latin beats. You'll want to kick up your heels and shake your bom-bom all at the same time. His voice is assertive and sensitive. And he takes the time to articulate his lyrics. There is no slurring here. Tracks are musically more diverse than ever, as in "Primogenio", where blending bagpipes with accordion and bongos transcends from an illusive concept to a coherent musical reality. Flamenco flavors tinged with jazz and salsa form a sound to swoon and dance to in "Bochinches" and "Ella". The lyrics are the type you'll want to quote when you want to sound witty: "Lower your voice while admiring beauty: screams do not impress Eternity." This passage, as most, sounds far more eloquent in Spanish, but the time has been taken to translate every song into English. Most songs are in Spanish with the only singing done in English is in "Danny Boy". His "Parao!" (On My Feet), is a tribute to the persecution of European gypsies. This song was inspired after his reading "Bury Me Standing" by Isabel Fonseca. The subject matter makes it far less arrogant than "My Way", the initial comparison that comes to mind. As usual, Ruben also sings about friends, family and his childhood and his storytelling is as comforting and imaginative as ever. And whether it's a slow simmer, "Como Nosotros" or a frenzied hot boil, "El Capitan y la Sirena", you can DANCE to it all! Most words and music are his original creations but as always, he gives credit where it is due, especially to the one with whom the recording would have been impossible and his major source of inspiration, the Earth, el MUNDO.

No es un tipico disco de salsa del Nueva York de los 70 y ello parece incomodar a algunos puristas, ya que al parecer el senor Blades cometio el pecado de romper las etiquetas y se ha atrevido a explorar mas alla de un solo genero. El disco se llama MUNDO, y de entrada la cosa no podria estar mas clara. Con este disco, Blades ha demostrado que no solo es un excelente salsero, sino un gran musico y compositor.

Si les gusta la salsa dura, pero de la misma manera disfrutan de un buen tango de Susana Rinaldi, del flamenco del Camaron, del samba de Beth Carvalho o Martinho da Vila y de otros generos que la mal etiquetada "world music" nos ofrece, entonces este disco les encantara. Pero si la salsa dura, el reggaeton y la salsa de formula que se baila en Miami es mas lo suyo, entonces mantenganse alejados de este disco, ya que no lo van a disfrutar.

Once upon a time, a musician from a little Republic in Central America sang the most beautifully accomplished lyrics about imperialism, love, crime, poverty, sex, racism, continental brotherhood, native rights, discrimination, political assassinations, and all those topics most of us mortals feel passionate about. After more than two decades of continued success, he is releasing a masterpiece for the world to enjoy. And it is precisely the world and its unity he sings this time about. A world without boundaries and races as exemplified by the wonderful blend of its musical roots. El mundo que Ruben describe en este trabajo es aquel utopico lugar en el que todos somos iguales y en el horizonte "en vez de un Dollar, amance el sol cada manana."

Ruben Blades does it again. A masterwork in every respect. Truly collaborative. Musically progressive. Standout musicianship. And very touching.

There's no point in my going over the individual songs of the tapestry woven here. Other reviewers already have. Please just do yourself a favor and buy this album and appreciate it for the work of art that it so clearly is.

Verdaderamente magnífico en cada respecto.

Bravo Ruben! Mas! Mas!

I've been a fan since ever. Being from Panama and having a mother and father who absolutely love his music it was inevitable. This album has so much human emotion. Every time I listen to Sebastian I get a lump in my throat. Jiri Son Bali makes me want to dance (and I do!) and Danny Boy...well just buy this album and listen. The fusion of bagpipes and latin percussion is incredible. Only Ruben could think of doing something like this. Yes, for you old school slaseros, it is not traditional Salsa, but I will say this, it is an awesome album. It doesn't matter what kind of music you listen to, if you like good music you will love this album. He includes lyrics in Ingles as well as in Spanish so you can understand what he sings about. No one will be left out. SIEMBRA!

This c.d. marks a great turning point in the long career of this illustrious panamanian singer/songwriter. It's the perfect evolution from his previous work, Tiempo. In Mundo,Ruben seems to have captured the underlying essence of Afro Celtic fusions. It's deep and introspective yet rich with melodic accents,flavored with masterful percussion. This work of art may not be appreciated by the salsa purists but after one quick listen it is easy to see why Mundo will more than likely be another winner for the coming Grammies. Buy it; you will love the musical voyage around the world.

Whether you love salsa or world music you will enjoy this masterpiece. Songs are a mix of salsa with influences from India and Africa. The life of the avarege latin american person and his struggles are also a topic on his music. Again Blades makes a great disc. I hope you can enjoy it.

Ruben Blades hit one out of the ballpark whit this new cd, the mixture of the music is superb and oustanding one of his best work yet, I rank it up there whit Buscando America one of my personal favorites, born and rise in Panama my self,I love the cut "Como Nosotros" It brings back some old good memories from back home. It is amazing how Ruben Blades can compose and sing songs whit other musicians from around the world, and that is the reason I recomend this cd, if you love music, then you will love this superb cd. Asi se lo recomiendo a todos, no se arepentiran.

I am an anglo so following the Spanish a bit difficult but worth the experience of listening to the excellence of musicians. Ruben's mix of bagpipes and percussion unmatched and right there with the best of two beat Jazz. The content of the lyrics, poetry. Now have to acquire more of his work. An album for anyone into virtuosity.

Intelligent words, excellent music, bright personality, passion for his mainland (Panama) and success as an ambassador for peace and Latin American unity, and against racism, are roots of inspiration for all of us. This is a masterpiece. The backing of the EDITUS Ensamble is outstanding. This is music for our MUNDO. Do yourself a favor: buy it and enjoy it. Viva Panamá... Pura vida...