Cuban pianist, composer, arranger, and bandleader Ramon "Bebo" Valdés, who will be 80 in October, is one of the great figures of the golden era of Cuban music. He recorded the first descargas (or Cuban jam sessions)... more », composed hits, worked behind singers Beny More and Rolando Laserie and was music director of the fabled Tropicana nightclub, accompanying visiting stars such as Nat King Cole. (Bebo is also the father of pianist Jesus "Chucho" Valdés.) But in 1994, when Cuban saxophonist Paquito d'Rivera came calling, Valdés was living in comfortable obscurity in exile in Stockholm. The resulting Bebo Rides Again is a joy. It reunites several generations of Cuban musicians and it quickly turns into a master lesson on Cuban swing. This is a master with nothing to prove, setting to enjoy the (all star) company and a chance to do what he does best. From danzon ("A La Marchere") to bolero to Afro-Cuban jazz ("Al Dizzy Gillespie" and "To Mario Bauza"), his work exudes grace and the simplicity of wisdom. --Fernando Gonzalez« less
Cuban pianist, composer, arranger, and bandleader Ramon "Bebo" Valdés, who will be 80 in October, is one of the great figures of the golden era of Cuban music. He recorded the first descargas (or Cuban jam sessions), composed hits, worked behind singers Beny More and Rolando Laserie and was music director of the fabled Tropicana nightclub, accompanying visiting stars such as Nat King Cole. (Bebo is also the father of pianist Jesus "Chucho" Valdés.) But in 1994, when Cuban saxophonist Paquito d'Rivera came calling, Valdés was living in comfortable obscurity in exile in Stockholm. The resulting Bebo Rides Again is a joy. It reunites several generations of Cuban musicians and it quickly turns into a master lesson on Cuban swing. This is a master with nothing to prove, setting to enjoy the (all star) company and a chance to do what he does best. From danzon ("A La Marchere") to bolero to Afro-Cuban jazz ("Al Dizzy Gillespie" and "To Mario Bauza"), his work exudes grace and the simplicity of wisdom. --Fernando Gonzalez
CD Reviews
Cuban Music at its best
02/16/2002
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Whether you are a fan of salsa, tropical or any other form of Latin Music, this Bebo Valdes recording is the essence of what
Cuban Music is all about...Listen and close your eyes and soon you will be transported to a place of tropical breezes, a warm
satisfying feeling of appreciation and realize how lucky you are at this very moment that someone or somehow you ended up with
this CD in your hands. All arrangements are just sublime, intricate webs of sounds that leaves you mesmerize and longing to get more of his music."
Smooth
02/10/2003
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I first heard this CD while vacationing in the Dominican Republic, having dinner in an open air restaurant next to the crashing waves of the Caribbean. I asked the proprietor what was he playing. It was so smooth, jazzy, happy, and romantic."
Another gem from a true Cuban master musician
Kevina M. Gallagher | San Bruno, California | 12/21/1999
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Finally music lovers from all over the world are discovering wonderful Cuban musicians as Mr. Valdes. If you enjoyed Buena Vista Social Club you will enjoy adding this recording to your collection."
Ride Off!!
Gregor Bernard Reach | Barcelona | 02/26/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Finally getting his long deserved credit, this recording from 1994 shows Bebo Valdes and this All Star Ensemble really taking off, with the "Dream Team" horn section (Paquito d'Rivera, Diego Urculo, Juan-Pablo Torres) playing two outstandingly powerful homages to Dizzy Gillespie and Mario Bauzo. Anda, another great cut brings the whole swing of the roaring cuban 50's out to your ears, whereas in tunes like Pierre Jamballah or Oleaje the mood get's much more laid back.
If you are into Cuban music, do yourself a favor and buy this one, serve a couple of mojitos to your invitados, put this disc on and wait what will happen next!
"
Cuban dreams
Cuban fan | San Francisco, CA | 12/09/1999
(4 out of 5 stars)
"This CD makes house cleaning an utter joy! I feel like this music is in my bones."
Track Listings (11) - Disc #1