Havana Nights 
Gabino Pampini
(Discos Fuentes)
Reviewed by

One of the biggest atrocities that is happening with radio today, is that many artists fall through the cracks and the public misses out on real talent.

A case in point is the new release by Gabino Pampini.  Born and raised in Panama, he developed a cult following in Central and South America in the early 70's with his hit "La luna y el toro." He relocated to Colombia in the late 70's and has called it home for the past 20 years.  Recording many CD's for Discos Fuentes, from Cumbias to Salsa, this new CD pays tribute to the music of Cuba and concentrates on the rhythms of Son, Bolero y Guaracha.

Pampini, with the help of Cuban arranger, Diego Valdés, creates a CD with much energy and respect for the music.

The party begins with the famous "Mami me gustó," created by Arsenio Rodríguez, and borrows flavor from Faustino Oramas' "Marieta". While the CD is a tribute to Cuba, the Colombian swing is clearly felt, as well as his unique phrasing technique. He has that Cuban old Sonero raspy voice.  Just imagine Puerto Rico's great Ismael Rivera doing Beny Moré tunes and you will get an idea of his vocal style.

But everything on the CD is not a party. The Bolero "Longina," of which many other artists have done renditions, is treated similarly to Oscar D'León's version from years ago.  The classic Bolero "Convergencia," is an updated version, with the trumpet exchanging licks with Gabino's vocals, the same way Miguelito Cuña and Felix Chappottín recorded it in the 1950's. 

As Cuban music is exploding all over the world again, expect many tributes by non Cubans to come about.  Some will be as good as "Havana Nights" clearly is, and others ... ?

While the Timba movement spreads all over Cuba's youth, one wonders if in 30 to 40 years from now, Timba and not Son will be the music that artists will be playing tribute to.  Until then, pick this bad boy up and "Ponte en ritmo".

Songs:

1 - Mami me gustó
2 - Huérfano soy
3 - Ponte en ritmo
4 - Longina
5 - Sin pensar en tí
6 - La loma de Belén
7 - Marieta
8 - Qué manera de quererte
9 - La fiesta no es para feos
10 - Tribilín cantores
12 - Tu no, Yo sí
13 - Papá montero
14 - Convergencia

 

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This page was last updated on 25-Sep-2005