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Here is a name to remember in the future, Leosbel Jimenez better known as Hanny. The recent interest by British based record labels in the music of Cuba continues, after World Circuit and Tumi Records output comes this offering from Mr. Bongo Records, Hanny, La Voz De Cuba ( The voice of Cuba ).
Hanny a 'new' name in the music scene in Cuba, belongs to the traditional school of Soneros Cubanos, but applies a new sound to the established rhythms with the result that they get contemporary in sound.
He has managed to bring together an array of polished and experienced musicians to play on this album. 'Chino' Rodriguez from La Sinfonica Cubana whose Piano playing becomes central to the album, listen to "Noche Mansa" where he starts the track on a ballad mood then breaks into a salsa romantica riff.
Luis Bravo, 'el ciclon de colombia' from La Misma Gente group on Trumpet whose brilliant playing can be heard on the tracks ' Sexo Dinero y Amor ' and the intro to the track ' Ibarrena ' are good examples of this. Then there is Rob Killips on Trombone, member of the Eddie Santiago backing band, joining the horn section. There is also Enrique 'kike' Augustin on Tres, member of one of the institutions in cuban music, Son 14, who together with Anga on Percussion, from another of the pillars in the cuban musical spectrum Irakere are just some of the VIP musicians who join Hanny on this album.
All tracks but one, 'Mil recuerdos' written by 'Chino' Rodriguez, are penned by Hanny. He covers subjects such as prostitution, a current issue in Habana, on the track 'Sexo, Dinero y Amor' to lost love and broken hearts on the others.
It is this romantic side of the album which makes it for me, especially when he is in a ballad mood, one for all romantics out there !. Hanny is ' El sonero del amor' and he does it well, his writing reflects this. It is personal without being sentimental, you can imagine Hanny with his guitar serenading the woman of his dreams in a Habana street on tracks like 'Derroche de amor', 'Polvo De Luna', 'Ibarrena' but my favourite if you want to get really romantic is 'Luna' , you can feel the intensity ....caliente!, you can't fail all you have to do is learn the words.
Hanny, La Voz De Cuba, is a brilliant first album, lots of
catchy refrains and enough salsa romantica to dance to and ballads to make love to..!
Hanny La Voz De Cuba
Mr. Bongo Recordings
Cat. No. MRBCD008
Release Date 06 /10 /1997
Jesus Alemany's Cubanismo - Malembe
This is the long awaited follow up from his debut record, Jesus Alemany needs no introduction, he was the name on everybody's lips in 1996 with his Cubanismo album. Here with Malembe he continues in the same rich vein of reaching deep into Cuba's musical roots and goes much further. The playing is excellent and the production is stylish.
This is a real journey through the different traditional rhythms of Cuban but Malembe always comes back to base, the Son. Jesus Alemany employs the Descarga as an excellent format to take us all the way to Cuba and remind us where it all began , and I am not talking about New York !.
Jesus Alemany leads the line up on Trumpet through which everything else revolves around his classic playing, with his solos he invites the others to follow him... and they do.
The one and only Alfredo Rodriguez on Piano, now based in Paris, rises to the challenge with his punctuated playing. Complementing Jesus Alemany, is Manuel 'El Guajiro' Mirabal also on Trumpet his musical c.v. includes playing in La Orquesta Del Tropicana and way back, in Las Estrellas De Areito.
Yosvany Terry on Saxophone is from the talented musical family Los Terry del Camaguey, he composed the jazz leaning track Now In Marianao whilst his younger brother Terry Cabrera jr. adds to the string section in the track Danzon 'Daulena'. Carlos Del Puerto jr. on Bass adds body to the playing. Emilio Del Monte on Timbales and Tata Guines with Roberto Vizcaino on Tumbadores are some of the musicians that add to the musical experience that is Malembe. The lead vocals belong to the sonero Jorge Luis Rojas 'Rojitas' who spent a few years perfecting his voice as a member of Adalberto Alvarez y su Son.
Malembe has everything for everybody, jazz of the Latin variety, guaguanco, Pilon, Danzon, Son Montuno. There is more to Latin dance music than 'Salsa' and here is the proof...ahora cogelo si lo puedes.
CUBANISMO ! starring Jesus Alemany, MALEMBE Hannibal on the Rykodisc label Cat. No. HNCD 1411
Cuba Solidarity Campaign are now stocking 3 of the best albums from recent years:
Juan Formell y Los Van Van - the Best of. The top son band loved by so many who have seen them live in Cuba and in the UK. A great introduction to the modern Cuban Son.
Orquesta Aragon, CHA CHA CHAranga! The classic charanga sound, for years the best exponents of the Charanga style .
Candido Fabre , Son De Cuba, one of Cuba's leading Soneros.
The above three CDs and many more, are available from CSC at £11.95 including post and packaging. Just send your requests and cheques made payable to CSC to CSC, c/o the Red Rose,129 Seven Sisters Road, London N7 7QG
Big piece on Hasta Siempre Comandante TUMI CD
Available from CSC at the very special price of £10.95p including postage and packing