" FRENCH FLAVOR ADDS CUBAN SPICE AND TASTES VERY MUSICAL"
Carlos Suarez | MIAMI,FL. | 08/27/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"CYRIUS - " LA BANDA"(BLC 97002)Cyrius was born of Spanish parents in Algeria, in 1959. This is his first solo album but he has been featured on several recordings as a guest singer. Most notably of these are the French Soundtracks, Manon Des Sources by Claude Berry and La Main Du Diable by Costa-Gavras.The album "La Banda" was recorded in sessions that took place in Santiago de Cuba in the years of 96 / 97. This recording features both original compositions and covers of famous Cuban standards. Cyrius has surrounded himself on this recording by some prestigious Cuban guest artists such as Cuarteto Patria, Eliades Ochoa (Buena Vista Social Club), Septeto Turquino (one of Cuba's seminal traditional septets) and Enrique Valera Miranda (member of Cuba's oldest son group, La Familia Valera Miranda).This album was finished in Paris with the artistic direction of Philippe Eidel ( Khaled producer) and also other non-Cuban players of note such as flamenco guitarist El Nino Josele and French flutist Guy Bertrand. It was recorded and mixed by Frank Redlich.Cyrius does heartfelt renditions of Maria Teresa Vera's "20 Anos", re-titled here as "La Banda De Santiago", "La Tarde" a small gem by Cuban composer Sindo Garay and "Lagrimas Negras" by legendary Trio Matamoros leader and composer Miguel Matamoros, recorded here in French under title `Larmes Noires". His original compositions highlighted by "Catalina" and "Malecon" are very cosmopolitan without loosing the feel that was obtained by recording this album were all this music originated, the island of Cuba. Overall this is a musical fusion that works without sounding cliché or contrived but instead very fresh and original in nature. Track listing: 1. La Banda de Santiago 2. Pintor del Son 3. De Santiago A Baracoa 4. Amarosa 5. La Noire Et La Blanche 6. Catalina 7. La Tarde 8. Larmes Noires 9. Chango Et Llama 10. Malecon 11. Mille Angoisses 12.Oracion"
