CUBANOSON — Recordando A Cuba (review)

CUBANOSON — Recordando A Cuba album cover

Album · 2006 · Afro-Cuban Jazz

4.5/5 · 2011-12-13
Matt

Cuban Son, glorious Cuban Son are the components or backbone for this wonderful debut release from the New York band Cubanoson with three original compositions from the bands leader Leonel "Papo" Ortega who in all modesty will say that they really are from his uncle Sergio Sori and three from Silvio Cebrian. Leonel "Papo" Ortega was born to Cuban parents who themselves played classic roots Cuban music as many other members of his close family including his uncle Sergio Sori in the Cuban style Punto Guajiro which is the accoustic classic country style from Cuba. Papo first started on guitar but changed to piano during his youth and throughout his career since has played with many of the greats with Jose Fajardo the great Cuban flautist one his high points but there are quite a few names to drop with two actually in the band for this release being Ray Rodriguez on trumpet and acting as Musical Director with Junior Rivera playing tres guitar as well. Tradition is what Cubanoson's music is all about and the band was formed to play precisely that but it is the type that we all can all dance too or at least tap our foot with a conjunto being the bands make-up. In the actual album notes we have the quote "Cubanoson honors the great artists who have bestowed upon us the utmost musical education. To them and others we have passed on our music through generations, we will continue honoring them with New York's Cuban dance orchestra, Cubanoson!" and honor them they do with great interruptations from many of the old greats and the lively originals penned for this wonderful Cuban roots release.

The horns are staright in for "Cubanoson" the first song being Papo's composition with Chico Alvarez singing lead on this great lively up-tempo number dedicated to the bands traditional music with Junior on tres, Papo on piano and Ray on trumpet soloing in that order and all are superb but that tres of Junior's is wicked and do not worry there is plenty more to come and the other artists are superb with their solos throughout as well but it is not often we get great tres guitar in many Latin releases these days played in such a beautiful a talented style. The traditional keeps coming with "Monsieur Jose" with guest Ronnie Baro adding French vocals and coros and of course it swings as the following which is another Papo composition "Recordando A Cuba" with the vocals sung in duet with Papo and Chico sharing duties all underpinned by a beautiful rhythm with Papo putting down some great piano with some fabulous licks from Ray on trumpet on this stomper of a tune. Alexis Llerena provides the trombone for "En La Campina" with Papo singing lead for this beautiful Son tune. There are ten compositions contained within and all played superbly with "No Te Preocupes" being a dance floor prequisite and more great addition within from Ray on trumpet. One of the albums great points is although we have all Cuban music the variety is constantly changing with the solo exchanges and the next is no different which is the Arsenio Rodriguez song "Que Mala Suerte" where we have Junior back on tres of course due to the songs author but we also get trombone from Alexis again with Ray and Oscar on trumpet just staying back in the band. "Guajiro Soy" is where Junior lays down more wonderful tres guitar and a great slow dreamy Cuban trumpet from either Ray or Oscar for the solo and another one of the highlights of the album. The quality keeps coming for the last three album songs with more of that glorious son in "Son Bailadores" with Papo's piano riding it all underneath and Junior is back on tres with Ray on trumpet. The second last song it is penned by Fransico Repilado or better known these day as Compay Segundo the great Cuban counrty artist being "Mujeres De Mayari" but this is not in that country manner but delivered with all the required style of a modern conjunto. "Lagrimas Negras" is another Cuban classic but from the great Miguel Matamoros this time and given more of that great driving swing Cubanoson treatment to finish this wonderful album off.

Cubanoson have come a long way since these early days from the bands formation with particapating in many Latin festivals and even getting on to the Latin Grammy Awards not to mention all the gigs and so they should, as quality does always shine through as this is what this album contains, quality Cuban music sung, played and delivered in a lively up tempo manner. If you are lucky enough to live in the States particulary in the New York area, catch them live becuase I know I will if I ever get there.