Search - Johannes Linstead :: Cafe Tropical

Great Songs -- Inconsistent Sound Quality

George Miller | 06/15/2006

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I have enjoyed Linstead's Latin inspired feel good music for years and own all of his CD's. Cafe Tropical contains some of his best upbeat songs and his guitar playing is, as always, very good. Several of the catchy melodies are hard to get out of your head. However, the sound/recording quality of 6 of the 11 tracks is a bit muddy, thin, and compressed; not anywhere the great quality of the clean/open/highly detailed sound of the cuts on Mediterranea. An audiophile or good mid-fi sound system clearly reveals these recording flaws. Also, the trumpet tracks sound like of a synthesizer and not from a well played trumpet. The only explanation that I can think of, for these shortcomings, is that Linstead may have recorded the songs several years ago using lesser quality equipment. Bottom line: 5 stars for song writing/guitar playing and 3 stars for recording quality. George M -- Phx, AZ"

A Spanish Guitar Fiesta

Joseph | Studio City, CA | 06/26/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This CD is full of upbeat music that is full of life-affirming energy. It will make you want to celebrate, dance, play guitar...and speak Spanish!"

Fun! Festive! FANTASTICO!

Anita Santos | San Diego, CA | 06/07/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Cafe Tropical delivers what the title suggests: an album full of summer fun, with songs that make you feel like you are in the tropics enjoying an endless vacation.



The album has many sexy Afro-Cuban sounding pieces, like "Suave", 'Streets of Old San Juan", "Para La Habana", and the title track "Cafe Tropical". These songs feature some wonderful Cuban musicians like Hilario Duran on piano, Osvaldo Rodriguez on violin and vocals, and Alexis Baro on trumpet.



Cafe Tropical is perfect for backyard pool parties, cruising around town with the top down and the tunes cranked, and just about anytime you feel like celebrating!"