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Elly Roberts reviews
Putumayo World Music
- Released: May 2008
- Rating: 10/10
- CD liner notes in English, French and Spanish.
Once again, Putumayo has done their homework, expertly.
This cool 10-tracker captures the ambience of the Cuban cafes, and music that helpedlaunch the spirit of Cuba to the rest of the world.
Brought up in the cultural melting pot of Miami in the 70s (his parents movedthere before he was born) Jose Conde feels Cuban, saying, “I feel in Cuban andI think en Americano. The melody for El Chacal (The Jackal) is based on theanthemic Carlos Puebla homage to Che Guevara Hasta Siempre Comandante”,who questions the motives of the supposed hero to achieve social reform.
Underrated musician Ignacio Carrillo was handed a renaissance due to the popularitybehind Ry Cooders project The Buena Vista Social Club. Given a second chance toexpose his talents after coming out of retirement, Ignacio gets his cover version ofMiguel Matamoros 1930 classic Lagrimas (Black Tears) included. This swing happygem is given the full indigenous Cuban flavours.
Known as a rebel himself, Pedro Luis Ferrer is much revered by Cubans. Due tohis pro-democracy tendencies, and outspoken criticism of the Castro revolutionhes been ostracized by the Cuban media, nevertheless, he still managed toretain his credibility on the island, only releasing four albums in 40 years,his latest being 2005s Rustico (2005).Here his daughter Lena fronts thevocals on another lush Latino swing Ay, Mi Vidita (Ay, My Darling),influenced by folky chanui and guaracha styles.
Brought up around the percussive rumba, 34-year-old husky singer Rene Ferrerhas relocated to Brazil, though his music has elements of samba and bossa nova,punchy Como A Cada Manana reverts to his indigenous roots. Wanting toupdate some of the traditional music, Edesio Alejandro, he took it upon himselfto write new material inspired by Cuban classics combining fresher and originalmelodies.
Written by Edesio and Gerardo Garcia, they have both masterfully reinvented asound familiar with the islands music from 75 years ago. His lightweight touchand treatment is pure ear candy as he pleads for Morenita to end his misery. Ateacher of music history, 46 year old German Obregon, his Pincel Campesino (Country Paintbrush)is a delightful acoustic sound rooted in the melodies and rural themes of musicacampesina featuring singer Celso Marcos.
The bolero (a slow romantic ballad style) is still popular in Latin America, whereit took off on 19th century ballrooms. Here Armando Garzon covers a classicMexican bolero by Ruben Fuentes. Escandalo (Scandal) is the tale of bitter/sweet love,with defiant lyrics: “On every corner they are talking about the two of us /They say it is a scandal / Even speaking badly of me for giving you my love /I pay them no mind / Lets go on no matter what they say.”
Young group Asere, from Havana, was formed to play the music of their grandparents,they throw themselves into Corazon (Sweetheart) a fusion of bolero/sonwith style, bringing new vigour to ancient styles. Having sung with over 20bands spanning 40 years, it was only 2000 when he finally recorded his debut soloalbum Baila Mi Son, with bolero Despues de Esta Noche (After Tonight)lifted from it.
Bridging the gap between past and the future of Cuban music, Kelvis Ochoassubtle and slick laid back rhythm on Fue Una de Mambo, brings a contemporaryclose to a wonderful collection.
File under: Quite gorgeous.
Weblink:putuyamo.com
The full list of tracks included are :
1. El Chacal Jose Conde y Ola Fresca
2. Lagrimas Negras Ignacio Mazacote Carillo
3. Ay, Mi Vidita Pedro Luis Ferrer feat. Lena Ferrer
4. Como A Cada Manana Rene Ferrer
5. Morentina La Orquesta Magica De La Habana
6. Pincel Campesino German Obregon
7. Escandalo Armando Garzon
8. Corazon Asere
9. Despues de Esta Noche
10. Fue Una de Mambo Kelvis Ochoa
Elly Roberts passed away in 2011, but he was a man who was so passionate about all types of music and loved meeting his musical heroes, such as Mick Hucknall at a book signing at the Trafford Centre, Manchester in 2007.
A former teacher and also a music journalist, DJ and radio presenter on local community station Calon FM, plus appearances on BBC Radio Wales, BBC Radio Cymru and BBC Radio 2, Elly started doing reviews for DVDfever.co.uk in 2004 and he did the majority of the CD and concerts reviews on the website.
I know also that he loved getting away for the summer to Spain and I hope that wherever he is now he is enjoying the hot sunshine and, as one of his friends has said on his Facebook page, that he is interviewing his musical heroes.