Baila Mi Son
As a youngster, Félix Baloy was influenced by the great CubansoneroBeny Moréand made a living singing until the Cuban revolution, after which he laid low until the mid-'70s when he resumed his career with the greatElio Revé. Eventually he ended up vocalizing for theAfro-Cuban All Stars, many of whom back him on this satisfying solo debut. Excellent as the band is, this is Baloy's record, showing all his chops, whether singing in a free upper range, scatting, or simply being gloriously melodic. The music ranges from the drivingmontunoof the title cut to the rhythmic Afro-Cubanguaguanco-changüiof the closer, "Misericordia, ¡No Aguanto!" Add to that a spry duet with Teresa Garcia Caturla (who's worked withIbrahim Ferrer) on "Mami Te Gustó" and you have a sparkling record with unstoppable grooves and swing--the kind of debut that's the dream of every artist, even if they are 56 years old.--Chris Nickson