Putumayo Presents: Cafe Cubano

Various Artists (Artist)

Product Details

• Audio CD (May 27, 2008)
• Original Release Date: May 27, 2008
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Putumayo World Music
• ASIN: B0016GLZQ0
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #9,586 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

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  #6 in	Music > World Music > Caribbean & Cuba > Cuba > Mambo
  #7 in	Music > World Music > Caribbean & Cuba > Cuba > Bolero
  #10 in	Music > World Music > Caribbean & Cuba > Cuba > Salsa

Editorial Reviews

About the Artist
Putumayo World Music was established in 1993 to introduce people to the music of the world's cultures. The label grew out of Putumayo clothing company, founded by Dan Storper in 1975 and sold in 1997. Co-founder Michael Kraus joined Dan to launch Putumayo World Music and establish a non-traditional sales division. Putumayo World Music has become known primarily for its upbeat and melodic compilations of great international music characterized by the company's motto: "guaranteed to make you feel good!" Putumayo's CD covers feature the distinctive art of Nicola Heindl, whose colorful, folkloric style represents one of Putumayo's goals: to connect the traditional to the contemporary. By combining appealing music and visuals with creative retail marketing, Putumayo has developed a unique brand identity - a rarity in today's artist-based music industry.

Product Description
Café Cubano is a captivating collection that will transport listeners to the charming cafes of this musically-rich Caribbean island. The album features a selection of exceptional performers who have incorporated Cuba's diverse musical traditions and distinctive styles into their music. Several of the songs feature influences from the "nueva trova" movement, in which lyrical poetry is joined with Pan-American folk traditions. Others remain true to the sultry guajiras, romantic boleros and traditional sones which were the underpinning of the renowned Buena Vista Social Club recordings. Cuban music traces its roots back to the melodies of Europe and the rhythms of Africa, and the inspiring blend that resulted from years of interaction between these diverse cultures. While many of these artists are legends at home, the collection includes several who are virtually unknown outside of Cuba. Pedro Luis Ferrer has been writing and performing since the mid 1960's and remains an inspiration for younger generations of musicians. Félix Baloy came to fame in the 1970s as the lead vocalist for Son 14, Orquesta Revé and other seminal ensembles. Armando Garzón, the Cuban-based tenor known by many as "The Black Angel with the Velvet Voice" specializes in the romantic ballads of the 1950s. The collection also features seven other noteworthy musicians who record and perform Cuban music in Havana and beyond.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Musical Mojito, June 20, 2008

By	Amaranth "music fan" (Northern California) - See all my reviews

Putumayo's "Cafe Cubano" is the latest in the world music's cafe series,and so far,the best. While Italian&French Cafe are bland collections, the Cuban one is a savory blend of old and new music. The compilation is like a mojito-a cold limeade with the extra kick of rum. There's even a recipe--a mojito dipping sauce made with lime,lemon&orange juices.

"Cafe Cubano" opens with Jose Conde y Ola Fresca's "El Chacal",a jazzy critique of Che Guevara. Conde is an alum of Boston's Berklee College of Music, but one wonders if this song will go over well in nearby Cambridge, with its Proletarian thrift shop&its Communist-themed bar. Ignacio Carrillo's "Lagrimas Negras" is a melancholy ode to unrequited love. Pedro Luis Ferrer,a critic of the Cuban government,sings a duet with his daughter Lena that's hardly political. Lena Ferrer belts out "Ay,mi vidita" about giving in to love. Rene Ferrer's "Como a cada manana" is Cuban music meeting smooth R&B. The Magic Orchestra of Havana has a retro-style song with "Morenita." German Obregon's "Pincel Campesino" is a pastoral ode to country life. Armando Garzon's "Escandalo" is a savory Mexican bolero. Kelvis Ochoa's "Fue Una De Mambo" bridges the past and present. Ochoa blends retro-style mambo with reggae.

"Cafe Cubano" is a delicious album. Pour yourself a mojito on a hot summer evening and enjoy!

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Another Fine Anthology, May 28, 2008

By	Dr. Debra Jan Bibel "World Music Explorer" (Oakland, CA USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)

Putumayo has been the megastar label for introductory anthologies of popular musics of the world, and almost all of its series deserve 4 or 5 stars. This latest work, in follow-up to the excellent and more historic and broad "Cuba" CD, is another winner, with focus on contemporary Cuban acoustic artists living within and beyond the island nation. Some selections have the classic urban Buena Vista Club son feel, while others emerge from the countryside with guajiras and trovas [troubadour songs]. Boleros are also included. The profoundly influential music of Cuba remains vital with new explorations, including some that tweak the ears of Cuban authorities. This collection is worthy for your ears and enjoyment.

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A very listenable, rewarding Cuban music collection, May 28, 2008

By	Joe Sixpack -- Slipcue.com (...in Middle America) - See all my reviews (TOP 100 REVIEWER)

A mighty fine set of contemporary Cuban (and Cuban-style) music, spanning a decade from 1999-2008. Emigres are included as well as regional artists from across the island, younger artists and Buena Vista-style old-timers, large salsa bands and urgent acoustic balladeers, political singers and romantic traditionalists - it's a nice cross-section of music and very little of it veers into the slicker, poppier jazz terrain of the `80s-era bands such as Irakere, et. al. Most of these artists will be new to US listeners, and they'll be welcome as well, as this is an eminently listenable, engaging album. Another strong release from the pleasantly revitalized Putumayo label. (DJ Joe Sixpack, Slipcue music guide)