La Rumba Soy Yo 
Los All Stars de la Rumba Cubana
(BIS Music)
CD Reviewed by

 

The first time I listened to this CD all I could say was, "WOW!"

From beginning to end, this All Stars CD demonstrates why Cuba is still the capital of Afro-Caribbean music. Rumba, Descarga, Timba, Son, you name it, you’ll find it here. If you want to party with great music, this is the CD to get.

The party begins with Aramís Galindo's version of the Norberto Shand classic, "Soy La Rumba," which many have covered, including Adalberto Alvarez and the Sonora Ponceña. This version has a nice Timba feel that is carried by the energetic vocals of Galindo.

Most of the songs on this CD are old tunes that were given a fresh modern sound. A perfect example of this is the tune by Manuel Corona titled, "Santa Cecilia," sung by Issac Delgado. With his smooth vocals, he gave the tune such a surreal effect, that I had to go back and listen to the older versions by Arsenio Rodríguez and María Teresa, to make sure it was the same song.

The young stallions are not the only ones impressive on this CD. The older cats demonstrate who the masters of this genre are indeed. "Lengua de Obbara" is re-recorded by Los Muñequitos de Matanzas with Changuito. Los Papines re-record "En el balcón aquel". With such energy, you would not believe most of them are past 60 years of age.

While the CD is, as we say today, 'off the hook,' two songs standout from the rest. First is "Un violín pa’ Chano," performed by Lázaro González from Orquesta Aragón. This tribute to great late Chano Pozo is a smoker. The violin cuts into the groove with finesse and aggressiveness at the same time. You will find yourself hitting the replay button on this one.

And then there’s the classic "Xiomara," superbly sung by Los Van Van’s vocalist, Mayito Rivera. Many, and I mean many, have covered this song (Típica 73, Irakere, Alfredo De La Fe, to name a few), but not with the passionate vocals of Mayito. This man can truly sing. If radio would dare play this song, I could see the little salsa singers running for cover. His soneos are inventive with an off-beat style, ála Joe Arroyo.

We are getting close to the end of the year and I would definitely nominate "La Rumba Soy Yo" as CD of the Year. Ok, at least in the top 5!  ¡Esta no es Salsa monga!

SONGS:

Soy la rumba - Aramís Galindo
La Habana - Grupo Yoruba Andabo
Santa Cecilia - Issac Delgado
Mi Magdalena - Sixto Llorente
Lengua de Obbara - Los Muñequitos de Matanzas
Solo - Tata Güines
Un violín pa’ Chano - Lázaro González
Maileo - Grupo Clave y Guaguancó
En el balcón aquel- Los Papines
Sobre una tumba - Haila
Río Mestizo - Alejandro Valdes
Cuba - Los Muñequitos de Matanzas
Xiomara - Mayito Rivera
El jardín - Los Muñequitos de Matanzas
Final - Grupo Clave y Guaguancó

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This page was last updated on 22-Jan-2005