Cuban composer and musician Pedro Luis Ferrer's CD, Rustico combines several styles of Cuban music as the musician revolutionizes his country's musical repertoire.  He draws upon several traditions from varying regions, but when he puts them together, he ends up creating his own genre.  On Rustico, he is joined by a skeletal crew of musicians, his daughter, Lena Ferrer on vocals and percussion, percussionist Basilio Perodin and multi-instrumentalist Leryls Morales as well as, guest musicians.  While the rhythms are lush beyond imagination, the arrangements are stripped down and simple.  The lyrics fall into an old school style, featuring poetry with double entendres in some cases and on the track, Puchita Peliton, the sexual lyrics are direct (there are no metaphors).

The CD comes with some extensive liner notes that include an interview with Pedro Luis.  He discusses his musical preferences, his influences, the recording in general as well as, his philosophy towards his homeland and his music.  He pokes fun at the macho attitude that normally accompanies Cuban music and he even invented a new word, "changuisa," the feminine version of the style of music changui, in order to get his musical point across.  While many male bandleaders might wish to take center stage and show their audience who's the boss, Pedro lets his musicians take turns at the limelight, especially his daughter, Lena who sings lead vocals on a number of tracks and this is a good decision on Pedro Luis' part because Lena possesses an awesome vocal talent.  Her phrasing, passionate delivery and vocal timbre hit the spot. 

Although all of the songs are acoustic and feature simple arrangements, their lush melodies and polyrhythms allow each song to create a distinct impression.  As a whole, I enjoy this CD, but a few songs manage to create grooves in my brain.  How Will I Live, My Cholita with its catchy call & response chorus, If Once with its beautiful guitar and tres interplay and lovely melody and the hearty La Cumbanchera are all hot little numbers.  Those who enjoy poetry, acoustic instruments and traditional styles woven into a new genre will enjoy this revolutionary-in-the-age-of-Aquarius CD.  Get your body shaking.  Escondida

PLH