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Cuban Dreams
Cuban Dreams chronicles Luis' boyhood experiences in Santiago
de Cuba, with firsthand historical perspectives from Luis and
family members who serve as storytellers and Carnival participants.
They include his mother Olga, sister Olga, wife Lupe, aunts Rebeca
and Raquel, children Louie and Carina and his friend Jose Miguel
Navarro. The result is a profoundly moving recording that takes
the listener back to witness important aspects of living in Cuba."Life
in Cuba is all about enjoying life, and music is central to that
lifestyle," Luis says. "Music is almost like food to
Cuban people. I have a special fondness for Cuban music, so it
was a pleasure and an honor to make a traditional Cuban record
with my family."
Cuban Dreams commences with the sound of waves
crashing against the shore and the transistorized sounds of a
Radio Cuba broadcast. This unorthodox opening track sets the stage
for Luis' retrospective on his native country, its music and its
life.
"Drume Negrita" is a traditional cancion
de Cuna - or traditional Afro-Cuban lullaby - that symbolizes
a Cuban child being rocked to sleep by an Afro-Cuban nanny. "Isla
Linda" is performed in the traditional "son" style,
with bongos, maracas, tres, acoustic bass and trumpet from the
Oriente region, then morphs into a modern "coro" with
the addition of congas and piano, with lyrics celebrating the
beautiful island.
"El Real De Hielo" is based on classic
"Danzon" rhythms, while the "Walk To Carnival Medley"
stages Luis, family members and friends walking from their homes
past various street bands into the heart of the biggest celebration
of all, Carnival, as represented by "Suave Congo Carabali"
and "Conga Santiaguera.".
It has been said that hearing the patriotic
song "La Bayamesa" that any Cuban, no matter where they
may be, will be instantly taken back home. The album closes with
"Niño," an exhilarating track written by Jackson
Browne and friends about Luis. Cuban Dreams is ultimately a contemporary
folk recording that celebrates family, music and the indomitable
human spirit. It unfolds like the soundtrack to some long-lost
film that captures the essence of a captivating and mysterious
country. Luis Conte shares this portrait of a people and their
music, and perhaps through reflection also gives a glimpse at
a future Cuba.
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