The success of the Buena Vista Social Club movie led to the revival of the careers of several veteran Cuban singers and musicians. The three-volume Hecho en Cuba mostly features the same elderly musicians but its packaging is a bit of a nightmare. There is no mention anywhere where these selections came from or their dates, whether they have been out before (one suspects that have) or what the logic is behind this release. One can enjoy this music on its own terms, for it features fine singing from Compay Segundo, Ibrahim ...
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The success of the Buena Vista Social Club movie led to the revival of the careers of several veteran Cuban singers and musicians. The three-volume Hecho en Cuba mostly features the same elderly musicians but its packaging is a bit of a nightmare. There is no mention anywhere where these selections came from or their dates, whether they have been out before (one suspects that have) or what the logic is behind this release. One can enjoy this music on its own terms, for it features fine singing from Compay Segundo, Ibrahim Ferrer, Omara Portunodo and Raquel Zozaya, Ruben Gonzalez's charming piano and Eliades Ochoa's guitar and voice. Even those listeners who do not understand Spanish will be able to appreciate the sincerity of the singers, the rich melodies and appealing rhythms of this folkloric music, which is closer to salsa than to Afro-Cuban jazz. But the set would have been greatly improved if there were detailed liner notes and more of a logic in its programming. ~ Scott Yanow, Rovi
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