Customer Reviews

Tocoloro

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

 

 

The discs on Musica Latina are re-compilations of the ground-breaking CD re-issues on Tumbao, one of the labels of the Barcelona based Blue Moon empire. I can't believe the negative review from David Boyd above. The sound quality on this disc may not belong to the CD era but it is certainly good enough to let you enjoy the fabulous MUSIC of Arsenio Rodriguez's original 1940s line-up which was perhaps the strongest ever to play Cuban music. Arsenio's remarkable tres playing, the incendiary horn section, Lili Martinez's remarkable piano playing, Lazaro Prieto's rock steady bass, all come leaping off the disc. This is irresistible dance music which bears comparison with anything that has been produced since

Arsenio Rodriguez is widely recognized as one of the supreme masters of Afro-Cuban music, the principal exponent of the Son Montuno, and a wellspring for much of contemporary Latin music. Tocoloro vividly documents the work of this incredible musician at the peak of his performing powers. With the support of a brilliant cast of muscians, Rodriguez makes music that brims with spontaneity and vitality. If you enjoyed Ibrahim Ferrer's rendition of "Mami Mi Gusto" (a Rodriguez standard), you'll relish this album.

Arsenio Rodriguez was one of the most influential Cuban musicians in shaping the son style, and his music is very good. However, the extremely low sound quality on this disc ruins it. I know that one is supposed to overlook low fidelity in old discs, but that's an impossibility with this album. Conversely, age doesn't need to imply low sound quality. You can't just say, "Oh, well it's an old recording; You can't expect it to be crystal clear." Actually, you can. I have heard a shellac recording of the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra made in 1917 and played on vintage equipment that sounded perfectly good. In some respects, it was better than CDs. There were genuine high-fidelity recordings made in the 1930s. Tocoloro, though, is very scratchy and has poor frequency response. The music does sometimes come through, though, so if you're willing to put up with low fidelity, it's worth it for the historical importance. Otherwise, you should buy something like Eliades Ochoa's Sublime Ilusion, Los Heroes' Estrellas de Areito or Septeto Habanero's Orgullo de los Soneros, all of which I recommend highly.