Distinto Diferente

Afro-Cuban All Stars, Juan de Marco

Product Details

• Audio CD (November 23, 1999)
• Original Release Date: November 23, 1999
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Nonesuch
• ASIN: B000021XR7
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #128,619 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

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  Music > World Music > Caribbean & Cuba > Afro-Cuban

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

With a debut as smashing as their 1997 A Toda Cuba Le Gusta, the Afro Cuban All Stars would have to hit on all cylinders to not fall short on their sophomore effort. Alas, they don't hit the high marks that seemed so effortless on their debut, heading away from the earthy, complex body of emotions their horns carried and towards a style that reaches unabashedly for pop audiences. Of course, the pop audiences they address are old world enough to like their flute solos to be bombarded by big brass riffs and set off by crooning, sweet vocals. This brings up a key point: even a disappointing album by the likes of the Afro Cuban All Stars is better than most of what makes the airwaves, from Havana to Miami to Montreal. Aside from the more obviously polished elements, there are lots of traces of the band's debut, with the timeworn playing--especially on piano and percussion--sounding both overly commercial and terrifically organic. On many of these tunes, the cleanness of the sound draws the ear away from the music and towards the sonic varnish, the crystal clarity that in many cases would be cause for celebration. Here, it urges the side-by-side inspection of A Toda Cuba Le Gusta and Distinto, Diferente, the latter title signaling that the band has sought another terrain, maybe that commanded by Los Van Van prior to the rise of the Buena Vista Social Club and its roster of stars. --Andrew Bartlett

Product Description

On the Follow-up to their Largely Successful 1997 Debut 'a Todo Cuba Le Gusta', the all Stars Don't Just Pick Up Where They Left off -- They Bring Something Distinct, Different. These Grooves Are Designed for Listeners who Want to Dance! features Thetitle Track, 'tumbo Palo Cocuye', 'homenaje a Martha Valdes' and Seven More. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Better and Hotter!, January 9, 2000

By	Nicholas R. Duke "pickinnick" (Charlottesville, VA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

If you liked the first album by the Afro-Cuban All Stars, this one will really hit the hot spot. It's really great! Well-produced and bigger band sound on many cuts with some of your favorite BVSC 'super stars' (Ibrahim, Barbarito). Juan de Marco should get the Grammy this time!

11 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars ¿Distinto? ¿Diferente? ¡CLARO que Sí!, June 28, 2001

By	BVSC fanatic (United States) - See all my reviews

WARNING: The Afro Cuban All Stars' music is NOT your father's Desi Arnaz albums!

Having both this CD and "A Toda Cuba Le Gusta", I just don't know which I like best. This stuff is highly "picante" --"chiles habaneros" put to music!!!

To Juan de Marcos González, the REAL driving force behind the "Buena Vista Social Club" phenomenon and now "Afro Cuban All Stars", an enormous debt is owed by all who appreciate truly GREAT music. He's a modern musical HERO.

This man, with endless energy, profound passion and a winning smile, has probably done more in recent years to promote both traditional and modern Cuban music beyond Cuba's borders than any human being alive. I can't express the depth of my gratitude to this brilliant and enterprising man. Without him, who among us would have had the good fortune to enjoy Ibrahim Ferrer's magical voice?

Long before I discovered Cuban music (via BVSC), I was deeply in love with Mexican music of all genres, modern and traditional.

But Cuban music has a place of its own in the world of music. For, much like our own music in the United States, Cuban music is a fusion of European music with an African influence of great variety and, presumably, that of the indigenous populations. I have read that African slaves once accounted for 40% of the island's population, representing more than 100 tribal groups of the African continent. Because Cuba's European cultural influences differ from those of the United States, the resulting music is not the same. We have our blues and jazz; Cuba has its son montuno, guajira, guaracha, rumba, danzón, bolero and chachachá, to name only a few. A musical treasure chest!!!

It is precisely the richness of this Cuban musical heritage that Juan de Marcos understands, appreciates and celebrates like nobody else! And nobody else has been so generous in sharing this precious gift with the rest of the world.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart, Juan de Marcos González!

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Hot, Spicy, Fun!, July 29, 2001

By	Staci J. Sellers "book bookie" (New York City) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This music is absolutely addicting! Great to listen to while whipping up dinner or whatever else. However, DO NOT LISTEN TO THIS WHILE DRIVING! You won't be able to sit still and you and your car will be dancing all over the road. I can't wait to hear more from this very talented, sexy, and lively bunch!