Rhythm & Smoke: Cuba Sessions

Various Artists - International - Caribbean & Cuba | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (October 6, 1998)
• Original Release Date: October 13, 1998
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Intersound Records
• ASIN: B00000DBX2
• Also Available in: Audio Cassette
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #480,412 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Cantinero De Cuba (Trio) - Cubamar

2. Oye Como Suena... (Charanga) - Sabor Y Tumba

3. Guajiro Natural (Son) - Cantores De Rosario

4. Pelicula Vieja (Timba) - Bamboleo

5. Aguzate (Nueva Trova) - Arte Mixto

6. Cha Cha Cha (A Capella) - Catarsis

7. Que Bueno Si (Nueva Trova) - Cachibache

8. Ven Vamo' A Bailar (Charanga) - Maraca

9. Cerca De Ti (Nueva Salsa Cubana) - Chispa Y Sus Complices

10. Fuego Al Son (Son) - Eco De Caribe

11. Los Barrios (Rumba) - Los Papines

12. Mama Hue (Nueva Trova) - Moncada

13. Las Habaneros Son Perfectas (Nueva Salsa Cubana) - Klimax

14. Solamente (Percussion Solo) S - Changuito

15. Chan Chan (Trio) - Cubamar

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Music from the forbidden Island!, February 27, 2006

By 

Oswald Placeres "Mr. Pleasures" (The Balkans) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Rhythm & Smoke: Cuba Sessions (Audio CD)

This CD is the true Cuban sound of the Island today. It has all the Nueva Trova, Timba, Son Montuno, Guanguanco and more. These talented musicians are not known outside the Island, and the only place that comes close to this music is "La Casa de Pepe" in Key West. After the 911 incident I was sent to Key West to work in support with the local law enforcement agents. During my stay of one year in Key West, I had the pleasure to meet the owner (Pepe) who was very nice to my troops. This Cuban restaurant is a riot on the weekends especially with the entire tourist that come off the cruise ships to dance to the beat of the Latin band that plays all night long. The food is delicious and you will like the atmosphere. I became a regular customer their after I met the manager Anna (La Italiana) and was invited to play with the band on several occasions. If you are visiting the area, two things you must do 1) Have a Tattoo made 2) check La Casa de Pepe if you like the Latin Beat and want to enjoy yourself and dance dirty with the Cuban music. Pepe was so nice to us (the soldiers) that he took a picture of the entire group to remember us before we returned to Miami. Pepe tells me that the picture is still hanging on the wall in the restaurant. Although currently I'm no longer residing in Miami, I still keep in touch with my friends from the Keys. And every time this CD is played here in Eastern Europe we dance to the Cuban beat and remember the good old days in La Casa de Pepe in Key West. Buy this CD for the price is worth it and Mr. Pleasures will not lie to you!

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Hot, energetic, classy cuban music., June 10, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Rhythm & Smoke: Cuba Sessions (Audio CD)

This is one great album. You can't really compare it Ry Cooder's Buena Vista Social Club, because that was really a step back into the elegant 40's and 50's with a bunch of amazing older guys who hadn't lost their touch. This album is bouncing contemporary afro-cuban energy, well executed and irresistable.

7 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars An album of kids imitating the Real Thing, October 22, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Rhythm & Smoke: Cuba Sessions (Audio CD)

Sorry, but this album is a PLASTIC imitation of real Cuban music. If you like music that makes you laugh, makes you cry, or inspires you, you WON'T find it here. These kids lack the experience, the lifetime of joy and sorrow that is packed into the music of old guys like Compay Segundo (get "Lo Mejor De La Vida") and Eliades Ochoa (try "Sublime Illusion") and Ruben Gonzalez (get "Introducing Ruben Gonzalez").

If you want to be blown away by Cuban music, see the movie "Buena Vista Social Club". The music in the movie is UNBELIEVABLE. The stunning soundtrack is not yet available (I PRAY they'll release it so I can buy copies to turn on all my friends!), but the video will be released in December and you can buy it here at Amazon.

But THIS album is sterile. It is recorded well, and the performances are tight, so I give them one star for that. But there is no FEELING, just perfectly recorded expressions of nothing. Their version of "Chan Chan" is laughable compared to the Buena Vista movie version. I'm sure if these kids keep at it, they will surely amount to something after they've experienced a few more years of living.