|
|
 |
CD Review
|
| Click Here to go back. |
Resident, CD Review >>
Ska Cubano
!Ay Caramba!
(Cumbancha)
The title track is about a fellow with problems. He is in debt; his bus breaks down on the way to work and he's arrested because he resembles a wanted man. Sound gloomy? No, everything on the CD is danceable and performed with tongue in cheek. The wild group is a Cuban-Jamaican fusion band featuring Beny Billy, a crooner from Santiago de Cuba, and witty UK ska singer-songwriter Natty Bo (pictured on the cover wearing sunglasses missing a lens). The music wanders around South and North America, with most of the songs from Cuba and Jamaica plus tunes from Colombia, Puerto Rico, a Tin Pan Alley ditty about Istanbul and the Frankie Laine hit, "Jezebel."
The liner notes contain translations of the lyrics, which is especially helpful in the case of "Big Bamboo," a song intended to make the point that sometimes size is everything. As Billy sings on the opening piece, "How tasty my cumbia, baby!" Even though the instrumentals make you laugh.
--Barry Bassis 07/03/06
|
| Click Here to go back. |
|
 |
|
|
|
