Ska Cubano Ay Caramba!
[Cumbancha 890846001015 (2006)]

Given the closeness of the numerous islands and many shared influences sloshing around the Caribbean, it is something of a surprise so few have connected the musical dots.  Ska Cubano, back with a second album and first on a new label from a former Putumayo producer, does just that, linking Cuban son, Jamaican ska, and Colombia cumbia.  Though “fusions” are often the worst of all possible worlds, here they result in the best tracks – ska/Latin takes on Beny More’s classic “Marianao” and the original “Oye Compay Juan” or big band ska-cumbia, like the rolling freight train closer, “Cumbia en do Menor.”  But the band stumbles when it tries to be funny.  “Tabu” seems more cut from the cloth of lounger Lyman than originator Lecouna, and pop ephemera like “Jezebel” and “Istanbul” sound a trifle forced.  Ska Cubano doesn’t need to go there.  This genuinely effective combination of already infectious styles and a real find in deep-voiced Cuban singer Beny Billy stands without the shtick and provide all the fun required.  (CHe)