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Cuba
Various Artists
Cuba
Genres: International Music, Jazz, Pop, Latin Music
 
  •  Track Listings (10) - Disc #1

The music of Cuba developed from a unique set of historical and social circumstances. African slaves, brought to work on the Spanish sugar plantations, soon outnumbered the European colonists. The attitude of the Spanish p...  more »

     
   
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CD Details

All Artists: Various Artists
Title: Cuba
Members Wishing: 0
Total Copies: 3
Label: Putumayo World Music
Original Release Date: 5/25/1999
Release Date: 5/25/1999
Genres: International Music, Jazz, Pop, Latin Music
Styles: Caribbean & Cuba, Cuba, Salsa, Latin Jazz, Latin Pop
Number of Discs: 1
SwapaCD Credits: 1
UPC: 790248014920

Synopsis

Product Description
The music of Cuba developed from a unique set of historical and social circumstances. African slaves, brought to work on the Spanish sugar plantations, soon outnumbered the European colonists. The attitude of the Spanish political and religious institutions towards African culture, while undeniably oppressive, was more open than in some other colonial societies. Catholic priests did their best to convert the Africans to Christianity, but they overlooked their worship of African deities as long as they gave them Christian names. In fact, santeria, a religion that combines Catholicism with African deities and rituals, is still a key part of Cuban spiritual life.
Most of the songs on this collection are a style called son, (lit. "sound") one of the most popular and influential Cuban musical forms. Son developed around the turn of the century in Oriente, a region in eastern Cuba. Migrating musicians brought son west to Havana in the 1920s, where it exploded in popularity. The fundamental element of the son is a rhythmic pattern called clave (lit. "key"). Played on two wooden sticks, called claves, this repetitive beat is the foundation upon which all of the other musical elements are structured. It gives son the propulsive swing that has endeared it to people around the world. Most contemporary salsa is based on son.

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CD Reviews

Buena coleccion de son cubano
Marcos | California, USA | 04/12/2005
(4 out of 5 stars)

"En este disco, tal como los otros discos de paises de putumayo que tengo, pone diferentes grupos que se destacan entre los musicos de ese pais. Pero por alguna razon en este disco putumayo decidio hacer una compilacion de son, en vez de los diferentes estilos conocidos de Cuba. El son esta bueno, ya como lo dicen todos los otros que han criticado el disco, pero me quede esperando por la musica afrocubana, el guaguanco y los cantos Yoruba, que ha tenido tanta influencia en la musica latina moderna. Tampoco hay cha-cha, un estilo tipico de baile cubano.

Por lo tanto si quieres algo que te de un mordisco pequen~o de toda Cuba, este no lo es. Pero si quieres son, paraste en el lugar correcto."
Great to listen to
mitzigg04 | VA | 07/15/2001
(5 out of 5 stars)

"I have never Been to Cuba. Would love to go... I love Cuban music, and this cd is excellent. It is not repetitive and each song has it's own flair. Definentely a good Cuban selection. I don't know how authentic it is, but knowing Putumayo, it is probably close!"
Cuban Musical Elixir
Enrique Torres | San Diegotitlan, Califas | 06/08/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)

"A superb collection of Cuban songs that explores the various styles with complete professionalism. Some of the BVSC stars are here, such as Ibrahim Ferrer and Eliades Ochoa. Ferrer opens the CD to get you right into the mood with his beautiful voice soaring behind driving rhythmns as he improvises while a chorus encourages his improvisaation. Every track is superb, rich with the flavor of Cuba, con sabor. I can't get enough of Eliades Ochoa so this CD was a delight as he sings in his soulful mannner one of my favorite songs "Al Vaiven a mi Carreta". The character of this song is perfect for Ochoa as it laments the life of a field worker. The variety is one of the strong points of this CD as it constantly changes so you never get tired of a particular style, variety IS the spice of life afterall. If you're into Cuban music this is a super collection of songs by some of the best performers. Sierra Maestra knocks your socks off with their beautiful song "El Reloj de Pastora". There is a play on words as they say "Se me paraba", (chorus, mi reloj) as I was in your doorway, fuuny sexual stuff if you speak Spanish. Add this to your Cuban collection, the booklet is superb, complete with a glossary of Cuban music terms and a bilingual biography on each featured artist. This music will have you dancing or at least moving your feet, if not you need your pulse checked."