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Sample Track 1:
"Ay, Candela" from Ibrahim Ferrer; Ay, Candela (Cuban Essentials)
Sample Track 2:
"Llora Mi Nena" from Eliades Ochoa; A La Casa De la Trova (Cuban Essentials)
Sample Track 3:
"Dolor Carabali" from The Best of Benny More (Cuban Essentials)
Buy Recording:
Ibrahim Ferrer; Ay, Candela (Cuban Essentials)
Buy Recording:
Eliades Ochoa; A La Casa De la Trova (Cuban Essentials)
Layer 2
CD Review / Compay Segundo and Omara Portuondo
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Sing Out!, CD Review / Compay Segundo and Omara Portuondo >>

Compay Segundo and Omara Portuondo
"El Compadre Again" and "Sentimiento"

To play son, the "traditional" music of Cuba, is to be versed in numerous styles.  Son is a catchall term, and each of these artists - the brash, smooth sophistication of Segundo's rhythmic genius and emotive, plaintive cries of Portuondo's voice - speak many dialects of their homeland lingo.  Segundo's mastery lies in sones and guarachos; the jazzy intonations built into the Cuban guitars tres and armónico keep his collection upbeat and scorching.  Portuondo exhibits more depth: her blaring vocals rise effortlessly within rumbas, boleros and jazz.  Both parts of Escondida's ongoing Cuban Essential series, these two retrospectives are truly necessary if one's interest lies in the soul of Latin music.

-by DB   12/01/06
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