El Arte del Sabor

Bebo Valdes

Product Details

• Audio CD (October 23, 2001)
• Original Release Date: October 23, 2001
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Blue Note Records
• ASIN: B00005QDEN
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #80,621 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

  Popular in these categories: (What's this?)

  #53 in	Music > Indie Music > Jazz > Brazilian & Latin Jazz
  #63 in	Music > Indie Music > Jazz > International Jazz

Track Listings

1. Lamento Cubano

2. Son de la Loma

3. El Maranon

4. Bolero Potpourri

5. Priquitin Pin Pon

6. Negro De Sociedad

7. Buche Y Pluma "Na ma"

8. El Reloj De Pastora

9. Conga Potpurri

10. Ogguere

11. Pare Cochero

12. Cumbanchero

13. Si Llego A Besarte

14. Guaracha Potpourri

15. Romance En La Habana

16. Route 66

17. Adios Panama Para Vigo Me Voy

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

They are the holy trinity of Latin jazz: pianist Bebo Valdés, the music director of the Tropicana and father of Chucho Valdés; bassist Israel "Cachao" Lopez, the mambo and descarga innovator; and percussionist Carlos "Patato" Valdes, who played with greats from Cuba to California. These masters were showcased in the documentary and soundtrack Calle 54. On this CD, which translates as "The Art of Flavor," they sprinkle zesty Afro-Caribbean seasonings on 17 swinging Cuban classics. Tunes like "Lamento Cubano," "Son de la Loma," and "Negro de Sociedad" are interpreted as tasty trio arrangements. Alto saxophonist and clarinetist Paquito D'Rivera adds his sophisticated solos to the compositions "Priquitin Pin Pon," "Ogguere," and "Romance en la Habana." Bebo Valdes's elegant ivory ticklings on the Cubop-tinged hit, "Route 66," pays homage to the great Nat "King" Cole, who recorded Holiday in Havana with Valdes in the '50s. All told, this selection offers a sonic snapshot of Cuba's elegant pre-Revolutionary jazz scene. --Eugene Holley Jr.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

19 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars saboring el arte del Sabor, March 5, 2002

By	Capcooks (Bethesda, MD USA) - See all my reviews

I've been hooked on the old Cubans since I took a chance on BVSC before the hype caught on. Discovered Cachao around the time Andy Garcia found him. And have filled my CD collection with a motley assortment of winners (and a few losers.) I am convinced there are seven melodies that get recycled on every CD. And everyone has a slightly different take on it. That said, this is an incredibly satisfying disc that reflects the average 150 years of experience brought to the session by these guys. Maybe the precision of their youth is missing - but none of the passion is. There's an ease and familiarity and comfort level of old friends making their favorite music come alive. And as for Cachao - his bowing is more immediate in this small group than it is in his Master Sessions CDs - even though he was fronting the orchestra then and is supporting Valdes here. Overall, a wonderful low key (as low key as latin music can be), and satisfying listen.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Gentle, terrific music, March 24, 2003

By A Customer

This CD is like sitting on a swing on a summer day -- gentle and fun. There's a lot to be savoured here. It's like a Latin lullaby.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Remembrance of things past (with Paquito), February 23, 2002

By	A. F. Martel (Guaynabo, PR USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This is an indispensable CD for lovers of Cuban music (not to speak of cuban lovers of cuban music). All of the cuts except Route 66, are music that we have heard since childhood. And they sound that way even when they are not played in the traditional way. You want to know why Chucho Valdes plays like he does? Listen to his Dad here. This is a CD not to be missed.