Andrés Revé y el Expreso de Oriente

De Guantánamo a la Habana
(Envidia)

CD Reviewed by Omar Walker

WARNING: While the CD states that Andrés Revé is the singer, he is not singing (many of the songs are his compositions). This is a bad oversight on the Envidia label's part, unless they are trying to capitalize on the Revé name. Anyway, on with my review:

The Expreso de Oriente band is a tight, young unit that shows how to rock a party. With fiery vocals by Pichi Valdés and Lolo Pérez, they demonstrate that el sonero hasn't died.

The CD kicks in with a tribute to Faustino Oramas. This is one of many songs penned by A. Revé. Pichi handles the vocals on this one and you can tell he's having fun.

The Envidia label has been incorporating trombones with violins lately, and they are very prominent on this release. Lolo does a terrific job in the song Chica de altura. His vocals weave in and out of the horns and string sections.

Next is the only song that Andrés sings and what a highlight. This aggressive and too short number SMOKES. With a resemblance to Ibrahim Ferrer, his vocals are sharp, and the more the trombones push ahead, the more he pushes back. To bad Matingois the only song he's singing on, because this one cut alone is worth the price of the CD.

Overlooking the misrepresentation of the CD cover and liner notes, this is another solid release from a label that is pushing ahead with many obscure Cuban talent.

Songs:

1- Faustino Oramas- Pichi Valdés
2- Quiere mujer- Pichi Valdés
3- Chica de altura- Lolo Pérez
4- Exploto la rumba- Pichi Valdés
5- Matingo- Andrés Revé
6- Marcando la cadencia- Pichi Valdés
7- Changüi del guaso- Lolo Pérez
8- Tu me provocas- Lolo Pérez
9- Guantánamo- Pichi Valdés
10- Oyancoro- Pichi Valdés

 

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This page was last updated on 08-Oct-2005