Customer Reviews

Tierra Lejana

5 star:		(16)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Rich and soulful, this is a gem of a recording that enchanted me with its authenticity and freshness, and set my feet dancing with its fabulous rhythms.
Performed with mastery by Super Uba, with his easy-going slightly smoky voice...it is the voice of a man who has experienced a lot in life, and with him the extraordinary, virtuoso guitar artistry of Edilio Paredes, whose technique and improvisational skill are a joy to listen to. The entire conjunto, which on this CD includes Victor Sanchez on bass, Guillermo Cardenas on tambora and guira, and Isidro Martinez on guira, is tight and accomplished, the sound is good, and production by Benjamin de Menil and Enrique Lopez excellent; they have refrained from the over-amplification and enhancements so commonly used these days that would have robbed this music of its purity and authentic flavor.

Ubaldo Cabrera, better known as Super Uba, wrote three of the songs, all of them wonderful: "Te Hare Feliz" ("I'll Make You Happy"), "Tierra Lejana" ("Distant Land"), and one of my favorites, "Doña Inez", a terrific merengue about a woman who is not returning his affections.
Other choice picks are a classic, beautiful bolero from days gone by, "Mar y Cielo" ("Sea and Sky"), on the differences between a man and the wife he does not love, "La Yuca", which has a lot of saucy wit in its double-entendres, and "Magdalena", a marvelous bachata. All ten tracks are strong, with clever lyrics and lovely melodies, and total playing time is 46'01.

Though Super Uba has lived in New York since 1995, he has not let the tempo of La Gran Manzana disturb the simplicity and peace of his music, which speaks of his homeland, the Dominican Republic, with its atmosphere of palm trees and warm sand, soft breezes and a slower and sweeter pace of life.
This CD will delight many, because its appreciation will span a wide range of Latin music genres, from acoustic folk traditions to Afro-Caribbean; good for listening or dancing, you won't regret this purchase...it will bring some island sunshine into your life, and warm your heart with its humor, charm and superb musicianship.

This is music. This is unpretenious tradition, no hype, no tourists guides needed. Deep and at the same time "light" music. No Ry Cooders: hey this guys are cool and look who dug them out. No Buena Vista. Not even near. Because these guys are for real. This music lives if your listen to it or not, it does'nt really matter. Does'nt need any big money. They are beyond the "are we in or not in" game. They just play music, that's what they do. And how. Listen to the guitar of Paredes. Man, this guy must have been born playing the guitar. Incredible. And Super Uba. How he swings....
Tiene swing, pero que swing. Como dice Tono? Yo no juego, brother...

As an afficianado of the guitar This CD is a masterwork
by Edilio Paredes (1st guitar). Blessed with talent, plus
Smooth speed precise playing and the unique tonal
qualities of his instrument Quite... Magnificent.
Vocalist Uba is an earthbound singing angel he instantly
transports you to a tropical place where he mentors you
musically with the great tones in his voice.

I'm buying an extra copy to put it in my safe. This CD is a most prized possesion.
I wish I lived in NY so I can see Super Uba perform live more often.
The recording sounds exactly like live.
I want any future recordings from this artist/record company.

Remember Sun Studio's vintage mastery? Of course you do, with Tierra Lejana we have
perfect capture. I am planning to find everything Edilio Paredes ever recorded.

My knowledge of Caribbean music is limited but I've heard enough to know that there are many different styles. Jamaica, for example, is famous for reggae, some of which is brilliant, and I've also heard some great Cuban music. Until I heard this album, I'd never considered what musical talent might be nurtured in the Dominican Republic. On the evidence of this album, that country has much to contribute to the world of popular music.

This particular album is a traditional, rootsy album in which the singer (Ubaldo Cabrera, also known as Super Uba) and the lead guitarist (Emilio Paredes) are the stars, though the other musicians are also excellent. All the songs are in Spanish (as you would expect) but Ubaldo has a warm, soulful voice and it does not matter to me that I don't understand the words. Emilio is an outstanding guitarist - his intricate solos are an important feature of this album. The upbeat, bachato music is distinct from other Caribbean music although there are some similarities.

If you enjoy other Caribbean music, especially Cuban, you will enjoy this album.

There is a magic in the music from the Dominican Republic that is addictive - even one listening of this lushly creative CD entitled TERRA LEJANA gives notice of an addiction forming! My usual musical travels are along the paths of Classical music - both of the old and the living masters. But due to a much appreciated note from a friend about the gifts of Super Uba and the music of the Dominican Republic, I am in awe at not only the brilliance of the singing of Super Uba and the technical musicianship of the guitar playing of Edilio Paredes but also the lusty joyful comraderie of the ensemble assembled here. This music is uniquely special and stands with the best.

The Caribbean flavors are rich and intoxicating and this is music as fine as any being performed today. As for the gifted virtuosos in evidence here, I would venture to say that Super Uba is more than just a major talent - he is a man who communicates his roots with soulful ecstasy. This selection of songs is uplifting and joyful. No matter your previous musical experiences I would urge everyone to indulge in this musical banquet!

For those of you fascinated by bachata, but searching for something more rootsy - Tierra Lejana is a must. The guitarist on this album, Edilio Paredes, pretty much invented the bachata style back in the 1970s; the singer, Super Uba, has a superb, traditional sounding voice. My two favorite tracks are the upbeat bachata/merengue - 'La Yuca' and the bachata/bolero 'Magdalena'. The album is a real treat from start to finish.

These days artists like Elvis Crespo and Juan Luis Guerra have become Latino radio superstars with slick, export-only versions of the Dominican styles, but Super Uba's all-acoustic Tierra Lejana has an elegant simplicity they can't touch. Merengue's dominant characteristics are a rapidly shuffling beat -- driven by the relentless groove of the guira, a metal scraper -- and giddy accordion; Uba's group plays it with a guitar-driven sound more common to bachata, and tosses in a little Cuban son too. His lead guitarist, the bachata master Edilio Paredes, picks nifty little rhythmic licks and reels off high-velocity solos throughout the album, and Uba sings with a low-key, avuncular charm.

 Meringue done acoustically instead of electronically, an Afro-soul influence, and a carnival set of rhythms marks this 'archetype of a lost Caribbean legend's compelling keeper album TIERRA LEJANA. Another big plus: the publicity notes for Super Uba are simply packed with information on the Dominican Republic's premier band and its old-time style. We give Super Uba and TIERRA LEJANA our highest recommendation for a combination of accessibility, dedication to preserving authentic traditions, and diversity of powerful carnival-style playing.

I have followed Uba's band for several years now, and heard them play again recently at Symphony Space in New York alongside two other Bachata bands. For sheer beauty of the medium, this is tops. Uba's voice is melodious and deep, offsetting the brilliant guitar of Edilio Paredes. The warmth and expressive tone of this performance is irresistable. Uba has now become something of a cult figure in Bachata circles. He was swamped by eager fans at the Chicago Music Festival. Yet, he remains just as laid back and nonchalantly devoted to his form as he ever was. This music is so beautiful that it gets under your skin-- I play it over and over when I drive. It is rich and emotionally affecting.

I got a chance to Hear this Album&was Hooked from the Guitars,Drums&Vocals that are all on Point. the Music is Crisp&soulful without being Polished&over-Produced. very direct but a strong Blend of Many sounds&vibes all at once.this is Great Music from the Dominican Republic&truly full of Strong Arrangements&Makes you feel Good.