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Central Station are a DJ/dance specialist store and label in Sydney
Australia, so it comes as a surprise to see them releasing a compilation
of classic Cuban dance music. Especially one as superb as this.
There is a good transcription of lyrics on the sleeve but no liner
notes either here or on the web. It’s a pity because they
could really boost the sales with a bit of information, instead
of leaving it to the reviewer to try and fill in the gaps. The
13 selections could date anywhere from the 60’s to the 80’s
and have probably been lifted from the Egrem catalogue.
They consist of 3 entries from Compay Segundo,
3 by Ibrahim Ferrer, 2 from Ruben Gonzalez, 2 from Eliades Ochoa,
1 by Omara Portuondo with Pio Leyva, 1 by her with Teresa Garcia
Caturla and a simply breathtakingly beautiful charanga by uncredited
musicians although Ruben’s piano is unmistakable. Don’t
worry if you have a couple of the songs such as Ibrahim’s
Ay Candela, Compay’s Chan Chan or Eliades playing and singing
El Cuarto de Tula. These versions are different and must serve
as the most definitive I’ve heard thus far. In fact every
track is a bona fide cracker that swoons, pumps and swings. Omara
and Teresa’s rendition of that old latin warhorse Quizas,
Quizas, Quizas kisses the wallpaint before stripping it.
Though obviously vintage, the sound quality
is excellent. Just listen to how Compay’s guitar stabs,
rings and flows on the outstanding closer Pobre Corazon. This
is without a doubt one of the best classic Cuban compilations
ever released and considering its unlikely source in Darlinghurst
Sydney, deserving of intelligent liner notes and world-wide distribution.
In fact I would go as far as to say that if the neophyte wanted
to dip his/her toes in the waters beyond the latest Cuban timba
or salsa release, then this is the one to go for. Continuing the
tradition of classic Cuban music in a recording that places younger
standard bearers alongside seasoned veterans is Soneros de Verdad,
a session organised by young(ish) sonero Luis Frank and dedicated
to the Buena Vista barrio of Havana and the musician who was the
most responsible for raising the consciousness of the world to
the glories of Cuban music, Juan de Marcos Gonzalez, ex-leader
of Sierra Maestra, leader of the Afro-Cuban All-Stars and prime
instigator of the original Buena Vista Social Club sessions.
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