Company Segundo earned a Grammy (at the age of 90) for his efforts with The Buena Vista Social Club phenomenon, and its considered to be one of the elder statesmen of Afro-Cuban son.  He was influential in developing a distinctive son style, blending Afro rhythms with Spanish singing harmonies.  His nickname is based on the Cuban slang for “compadre” and his “second voice” harmony blends.  Segundo comes from eastern Cuba, where the music known as “son” was born.  He grew up working tabacco fields and barbering, but by the age 15 he was a skilled guitar and tres player.  He than invented the armonico, a seven strong combination similar to both a tres and a guitar.  In the 1920s and 30s, he was in many famed groups, including the legendary and much-loved Conjunto Matamoros.  Compay Segundo’s musical career has combined creativity with tradition in equal parts. 

This thoroughly enjoyable and lively disk in another fine release in the Escondida Cuban Essentials series.  Of the 15 tracks, Sergundo’s famed “Chan Chan”, one of his most touching songs from the Buena Vista Social Club repertory, is included in a fine version.  This CD is enjoyable from several standpoints: great percussion rhythms, wonderful guitar/tres playing, and beautiful harmonized singing in the Cuban son style, perhaps one of the most soulful styles to come out of that very soulful and influential island 90 miles south of Florida!