Barbarito Torres
The stately elegance projected by senior members of the Buena Vista Social Club and Afro-Cuban All Stars was all but shattered when laud (Cuban lute) playing bandmate Barbarito Torres stepped into the spotlight. Arguably the world's greatest soloist on his instrument, the feisty Torres's pyrotechnical solos dazzle, even when he plays them behind his back (ala Jimi Hendrix). This self-titled album, the follow-up to Torres's excellentHavana Cafe, is as just as good as the first, again filled with a jubilant mix songs in the son, guajira, bolero, guaracha, and other guitar-based Cuban folk music styles. The strong base of guitars is well supported by festively upbeat vocals, percolating percussion and understated horn parts, and it's the fun overall chemistry of these elements that reflects on the leader even more favorably than his solos. Here’s an album that will make you fall in love with Cuban music all over again.--Tad Hendrickson