Cuban Music

[rudder]

What have you been listening to? Trying to fill my Ipod.

[anacostiakat]

What have you been listening to? Trying to my Ipod.

Lost City Soundtrack and an assortment of stuff.

[Colt45]

My favorite group is ¡Cubanismo! featuring Jesús Alemañy. I like their first three albums the best -

!Cubanismo!

Malembe

Reencarnación

Their latest, Greetings From Havana is also very good, but personally I feel the production is not quite as good as the others. I feel the first three

have a real sizzle to the sound - almost live. I think GFH lacks this feel - drier, more recording studio sound.

Though not from Cuba, I really like Poncho Sanchez as well. Latin Soul is live and excellent. His latest, Raise Your Hand, is a combination of Latin

and Stax records - it might sound a bit strange, but I love this disc as well.

[Van55]

While not Cuban, a group from Southern France called Gipsy Kings produce some excellent music with a distinct South American flavor fused with Flamenco. I recommend them for your Ipod.

Also anything by Arturo Sandoval is good if you like jazz trumpet from Cuba.

[Colt45]

Additionally, there are a number of compilations out there. I have a couple, but the one I listen to most is titled Putumayo Presents Cuba.

It's a nice mix of artists and styles.

[zuma]

My favorite group is ¡Cubanismo! featuring Jesús Alemañy. I like their first three albums the best -

!Cubanismo!

Malembe

Reencarnación

Agree, Jesús Alemañy is fantastic, jazzy and delicious...

Of Cuban origin, I often listen to some good oldies, especially Benny More and the Sonora Matancera, and all those that came out of it (Perez Prado, Celio Gonzalez, Celia Cruz)... and some of the more recent Nueva Trova (Pablo Milanes, Silvio Rodriguez)...

[cadillacdoc]

Polo Montanez was awesome! Cuban country music.

Strunz y Farah is incredible, awesome latin jazz. (non-cubano)

[Morientes50]

Here's a few of my favorite songs from my ipod:

Afro-Cuban All-stars - "Amor verdadero"

Compay Segundo - "Guajira Guantanamera"

Buena Vista Social Club - "De Camino a la Vereda"

Now, I haven't seen the lyrics for this last one but I find it a funny song cause its about Compay Segundo leaving his wife for a younger woman. Now I know that's not funny...but If you think that Compay was probably 80 yrs old or something at the time then it is a little funny (though it might be about him at an earlier time).

As for Albums:

Gloria Estefan - "Mi Tierra"

Bebo and Cigala - "Lagrimas negra" Sung by a Spaniard flamenco style.

Ruben Gonzalez - The best of (instrumental)

That should get you started.

[jquest63]

Lately I've been groovin' on the Afro Cuban Allstars and Buena Vista Social Club cd's.

[Habanos2000]

I also think you can't go wrong with the Buena Vista Social Club CD from 97, it always makes me want to light up a cigar. Bebo and Cigala are also pretty good.

[audio1der]

Another vote for Buena Vista SC. I can;t smoke a cigar at home without listening to "Chan Chan"

[cadillacdoc]

Saw Bellita y Jazztumbata at la Zorra y el Cuervo. Absolutely incredible. You may find some of her music on the net. The only CD they had was a homemade poor quality recording. Live they were an awesome jazz quartet.

[Tone_NY]

Los Van Van and NG La Banda current music. The old school stuff, La Sonora Matancera with Celia Cruz and anything by La Lupe.

[Evo03]

While not Cuban, a group from Southern France called Gipsy Kings produce some excellent music with a distinct South American flavor fused with Flamenco. I recommend them for your Ipod.

Also anything by Arturo Sandoval is good if you like jazz trumpet from Cuba.

Here's another recommendation for the Gipsy Kings. They do a great version of "Hotel California"

[Guest rob]

Two weeks ago I went to a pretty cool concert - "The Bar at Buena Vista".

Very good stuff!

91 year old Reynaldo Creagh busting out "Dos Gardenias" was absolutely amazing.

...and the female dancers.... omg.... drop dead gorgeous.

[Ken Gargett]

Here's a few of my favorite songs from my ipod:

Afro-Cuban All-stars - "Amor verdadero"

could not agree more. just find that brilliant. if it was on vinyl and not cd, i'd have worn a groove through it.

but i have never been able to get any band in cuba to play. they know everything ever made but i've not found one that knows it.

quizas another fave among many.

[compitaveggie]

I love anything Buena Vista Social Club.

I recently downloaded Ibrahim Ferrer (member of BVSC) "En que parte de Cuba nacio el son" from Itunes. You should buy it it is a great song.

[bolivr]

Same as Rob in Canberra I saw the Bar at Buena Vista and enjoyed that. I also like the BVSC cd, Compay Segundo, etc

There's a cd called Introducing Ruben Gonzalez, very classy piano, his touch is spot on, never showy just classy.

More modern, much more modern in fact, I like the Reggaeton, the Cuban Revolucion which is the hip-hop influenced effort put together by an aussie (I forget who). Great beats, lots of energy.

[thschrminm]

Pio Leiva, Polo Montañez y Panchito Riset......

[smk819]

Lately I've been groovin' on the Afro Cuban Allstars and Buena Vista Social Club cd's.

As have I.

[Colt45]

To add another question to the thread, I'm a fan of slow, sultry bolero / bolero - son. Any recommendations of an individual artist or

compilation cd in this style? I'm thinking of picking up Mis Boleros by Lucrecia.

[DrunkenMonkey]

If you like classical music, I was listening earlier tonight to the guitar piece, "El Decameron *****", by the great Cuban composer Leo Brouwer.

[habanablue]

MIx CD - Ruben Gonzalez, Elio Reve, Tito Gomez