Rumbero Soy
Founded in 1977, the well-traveledSierra Maestracelebrate  25 years together with the release ofRumbero Soy. The ensemble's classic  instrumentation of tres, guiro, clave, guitar, bongo, trumpet, maracas, and  vocal chorus comes in loud and clear. Produced by Anglo guitarist Chris Birkett,  the group performs with special Cuban and American guests. Jazz guitar whiz Marc  Ribot lends his twangy, spacey licks to the peppery title track and "Sevilla de  Cana Brava."Buena Vista  Social Clubsuperstars Ibrahim Ferrer and Omara Portuondo lend their vibrant  voices to four songs, including the picturesque "Sabina Gomez" and the romantic  "Convergencia." The group's spirited lead vocalists Alberto Virgilio Valdes and  José Antonio "Maceo" Rodriguez keep the rumba andson montunogrooves  flowing on the other tracks. There's no doubt that this group will be in top  form for the next quarter century.--Eugene Holley Jr.