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To be released in two stages, the Jazz Cuba series is the brainchild of a group with close links to the music; director and producer Jose Luis Ruperez, writer, broadcaster, producer and advisor to Buena Vista Sigfredo Ariel, Jorge Rodriguez of EGREM and stalwart of Cuba’s jazz scene Bobby Carsessés.

The collection will chronicle the genre’s development from the late 1950s to the end of the 80s featuring artists such as Chucho Valdes, Bebo Valdes, Cachao, Ruben Gonzalez, Loc Amigos, Irakere and the Orquestra Cubana de Musica Moderna.

The sampler opens gently with a live recording of Irakere’s instrumental ‘Summertime’, a track without any obvious Cuban hallmarks. As the album progresses however the tempo and the “Cuban-ness” of its sound increases; by the time we reach its mid point (9 Divas Merceditas Valdes’ ‘Devuéleme el Coco’) the percussion is clearly Cuban, largely consisting of some frenetic drumming, and elements of the mambo are starting to sneak through. It all ends with the rather funky ‘Pastilla de Menta’ by Orquestra Cubana de Musica Moderna’s, one of the only tracks to feature an electric guitar, and at times reminiscent of the music Otis Reading used to sing to.

Jazz Cuba is a varied mix of sounds, styles and instruments and the perfect option if you’re not quite ready to commit yourself to any one of the artists it showcases. If you are, then albums by Chucho Valdés, Guapachá with Chucho Valdés, Los Papines & Ruben Gonzalez, Irakere and the Orquestra Cubana de Musica Moderna are out now. For the other artists you’ll have to wait till later this year.

Tracklisting:
1. Irakere Summertime
2. Cachao Melodia Briliante
3. Guapacha El Mejor Chachacha Bebop
4. Chucho Valdes Mambo Influenciado
5. Los Papines & Ruben Gonzalez Papines En Descarga
6. Divas Merceditas Valdes Devuéleme El Coco
7. Chico O’farril Descarga Number 2
8. Los Amigos Imágens
9. Peruchin Tenderly
10. Bebo Valdes Cactus Mambo
11. 9 Divas Merceditas Valdes Muriéndome De Risa
12. Orqestra Cubana De Musica Moderna Pastilla De Menta

Links:
www.warnerjazz.co.uk