I've jsut received the following as part of the Aquarius Records new release newsletter. Standard disclaimer: I have no connection to either Aquarius or Tumbao. Has anyone heard any of these releases? Are they must-haves? If so, which should one start with?
- -Lou
lousmith@pipeline.com
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- ----* Tumbao Label / Classic Cuban Music :
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Aquarius is proud to once again stock Tumbao releases. In an era where
cocktail culture has diluted and made a mockery of music from the Caribbean
it is refreshing to finally have the original roots and branches - of what
became the Latin craze in the US - to finally speak for themselves and
Tumbao is the single most important label dedicated to reissuing the golden
era of Cuban music. Starting in 1990, Tumbao has been steadily reissuing
radio transcriptions - from New York, Havana & Mexico - of the most
influential and exciting orchestras and conjuntos of all time. Because most
of the tapes here were never played until they were transferred digitally
to CD masters, the sound quality on some of the recordings is astoundingly
good. At this point there are almost a hundred CD's issued by Tumbao, and
we hope to gradually increase our stock here at the store. Below are a few
of the titles we've received thus far, but by no means are we limited to
these few titles. We'll keep you informed of others that strike us
particularly as they come in.
CONJUNTO MATAMOROS "With Beny More" (Tumbao) cd 15.98
One of the many incarnations of groups formed by the legendary Miguel
Matamoros - who's lifetime output consists of almost 200 songs. The
pairing here of Miguel's songwriting with the beautiful singing of Beny
More is really a great one and possibly also a historic moment as well; as
Miguel put it: "In 1945 we were contracted for Mexico and I took [Beny]
along with me. He came really to be just my substitute in the vocal parts
of the conjunto, but such was his ability that it cried out to be left
alone so that he could perform on his own. That is to say, the conditions
and situations were such that they provided him with the necessary impetus
that transformed him into a star." The first eight tracks found here on
this cd were recorded in Mexico City in 1945 during that engagement. The
others tracks were recorded between 1946 and 1947. Besides Beny More,
Conjunto Matamoros is backed up here by Ciro Rodriguez (2nd voice, maracas,
claves), Rafael Cuelo (guitar, choir), Ramon Dorca (piano), Jose Macias &
Jose Quintero (trumpets), Cristobal Mendive (bass), Agustin Gutierrez
(bongos) and, of course, Miguel Matamoros (1st voice - tracks 9 to 17 - and
guitar.)
GUERRA, ORLANDO "CASCARITA" "El Guaracho" (Tumbao) cd 15.98
Here is a fine collection of recordings featuring the ever capable
vocalist Cascarita. Recorded between 1944 and 1946 with the backing of
Cuba's most famous of Orchestras, Orquesta Casino De La Playa (plus three
tracks recorded with Orquesta Siboney de Pepito Torres in Puerto Rico)
Cascarita has one of the most amazing voices in Cuban music, completely
reckless, half laughing and yelling, but always in control. Though the
liner notes don't give indications as to the performers on this recording,
but 10 to 1 the pianist is either Perez Prado (who Cascarita helped to land
a job with Orquesta Casino De La Playa) or Anselmo Sacasas. Either way,
the piano playing alone should be enough reason to buy this recording - top
notch played with that combination ham fistedness and delicate finesse.
MACHITO & HIS AFRO-CUBANS "Freezelandia" (Tumbao) cd 15.98
Machito, along with trumpet player Mario Bauza, formed this group after
Bauza had cut his teeth playing with Cab Calloway's orchestra in 1940. The
concept was to present an Afro-Cuban orchestra that incorporated Jazz
musicians, a concept that had a tremendous influence on both American and
Cuban orchestras alike. The tracks here, recorded in New York between 1947
and 1949 features: Machito (maracas, claves & vocals), Mario Bauza, Frank
Davila & Bobby Woodlen (trumpets), Gene Johnson & Fred Skerritt (alto
saxes), Jose "Pin" Madera (tenor sax), Leslie Johnakins (baritone sax),
Rene Hernandez (piano), Roberto Rodriguez (bass), Luis Miranda (conga),
Jose Mangual (bongos), Ubaldo Nieto (timbales) and Graciela (vocals.)
MERCERON, MARIANO Y SUS MUCHACHOS PIMIENTA "Yo Tengo Un Tumbao"
(Tumbao) cd 15.98
MORE, BENY "El Barbaro del Ritmo" (Tumbao) cd 15.98
It has been said that Beny More is one of the greatest Cuban singers,
and one of its greatest patriots - one of the few stars of his generation
who chose to stay in Cuba rather than emigrate to the U.S. or Mexico - a
singer "gifted with an incomparable voice. He was the most all-around of
Cuban singers, for he was capable of embroidering, stretching, and
repeating the phrases of a song without ever altering his rhythm. He knew,
with an instinctive judgement, how to assimilate new harmonic concepts
while at the same time remaining true to his roots." This recording is
unique in that Beny More is backed up by Perez Prado and his orchestra, a
group more commonly associated with instrumental music. Recorded in Mexico
City between 1948 and 1950.
ORQUESTA CASINO DE LA PLAYA "Memories of Cuba" (Tumbao) cd 15.98
Orquesta Casino De La Playa was a Cuban super group of sorts, giving
many future greats their start and this collection features some great
performances by some of the best. The inimitable Damaso Perez Prado is
featured playing some absolutely reckless and wonderful piano, as is future
bandleader Anselmo Sacasas. If that isn't enough the greatest male
vocalist of Cuba (in my humble opinion) Cascarita, and the now renown
Miguelito Valdes both sing on tracks here. Recorded between 1937 and 1944,
this is an essential recording for any collection of Cuban music.
ORQUESTA CASINO DE LA PLAYA WITH MIGUELITO VALDES "Fufunando"
(Tumbao) cd 15.98
ORQUESTA NIAGRA WITH RUBEN GONZALEZ "Que No Se Acabe El Bongo"
(Tumbao) cd 15.98
PINEIRO, IGNACIO "Y Su Septeto Nacional" (Tumbao) cd 15.98
This is a collection of Son, Bolero Son, Rumba & Guaracha from Ignacio
Pineiro and his septet, recorded in 1928 and 1930. Very raw sounding,
infectious songs with beautiful, semi-out-of-tune guitar & tres guitar
filling out the sound. Accompanying Ignacio Pineiro (bass, conductor) on
these recordings are: Alfredito Valdes & Jose Jimenez or Juan De La Cruz &
