The Music Of Cuba 1909-1951
This magnificent 25-track compilation, digitally remastered from archival 78s, spans 41 years of classic Cuban music, from the 1909 habanera/danzónof Orchestra de Felipe Valdez to the 1951montuno-motored Conjunto Cubakonga's "Como Ayer," which previewed salsa and Latin jazz. The depth and diversity of the island's full Afro-Hispanic sound spectrum is here. The clave-codedtresguitar strains of thesonring through on Sexteto Nacional's rendition of the classic "Siboney," penned by pianist-composerErnesto Lecuona. His pop orchestra, theLecuona Cuban Boys, swings his Afro-anthemic rumba, "Tabú." The haunting operatic voice of María Cervantes highlights the traditional bolero on the voice-piano duo, "Tus Manos Blancos," contrasted by the Old World Spanish choralcanción, "As Mozas da Vilanova" by Coro Agrupación Artistica Gallega." "A Centavo el Mazo," an uptempo bolero-sonby Orchestra Pedro Via melodically mirrors "The Peanut Vendor" andDesi Arnaz y su Orchestra(ofI Love Lucyfame) kicks up the processional carnival paces on "La Conga en Nuevo York." The DNA of the big band Latin jazz is discovered in "Pacto con el Diablo," performed by Alberto Socarras y su Orchestra Cubanacán. All in all, this stunning set shows that the 20th century moved and grooved to a Cuban beat.--Eugene Holley Jr.