Search - Rosendo Jr Ruiz :: Havana Bound

ROSENDO RUIZ JR. & HIS ORCHESTRA- "HAVANA BOUND"

L. Dequesada | JAMAICA,, NY United States | 08/14/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Definitely the most rare and sought after of all cuban charanga orchestra albums. This compilation was recorded in Havana, Cuba in 1959 or 1960 and was first issued then as a 33rpm vynil Lp by Tico Records. Unfortunately it was discontinued by Tico around 1964 and since then it has become an elusive, hard to get and sought after, especially by connosseurs of this genre. This great cuban charanga directed by the great composer and pianist Rosendo Ruiz, Jr. was none other than maestro Felix Reyna's "Orquesta Estrellas Cubanas", which was Jose Fajardo's original orchestra until Reyna's takeover in 1959. This great orchestra was nicknamed "Rosendo Ruiz Jr.& His Orchestra" for these recordings. For these recordings sessions made at the legendary CMQ Radiocentro's Studio #1 in Havana, Ruiz made one addition and one substitution. He added the famed violinist Miguel Barbon, aka "El Niño Prodigio" of Orq.Melodias del 40, to enhance the orchestra's strings section and substituted Julio Guerrero, aka "El Distinto" for Gonzalo Fernandez then of Orquesta America de Ninon Mondejar as flutist, the latter change became a controversial topic among experts and fans, then and in subsequent years. This is a superb CD, the charanga chorus, the musical arrangements, the tunes and the band are just exquisite. "Flor de Amor", "ChaChaCha del Diablo", "Lloraras"(my favorite), "El Pregon del Amor","La Vida Es Corta","El Borracho y El Bodeguero","La Combinacion", "Cha Cha Cha Loco", "Salsa Negra", "Guapacha en La Luna", "Pan Con Timba" and "Mambo Sideral" will simply delight you. I highly recommend the acquisition of this rare cuban musical gem. Definitely Rosendo Ruiz,Jr.'s best lifetime work. Recorded in Cuba during the famed and flavorful "guapacha era", 1955-1960. Don't miss it!"