The second instalment of DJ Lubi Jovanovic’s compilation of popular Cuban music for Nascente Records follows the same structure as the previous release: three CDs showcasing different sides of contemporary Cuban music. This time around, together with traditional son and Cuban salsa, a more urban side of Cuba is offered by condensing the hip hop and reggaeton scene into disc three and replacing the jazzy contributions of the first album.

Before getting into more details about this release, I must elaborate on something that will come up regularly in the descriptions to follow. I find a great deal of trouble associating the intentions of the CD with what its title suggests. When first receiving the CDs I expected an introduction into the different themes mentioned above, much like a who’s who of classic Cuban music as the words ‘Beginner’s Guide’ tend to infer. Yet, on closer inspection and according to the product’s description, what it wants to achieve is a snapshot of what Cuba is listening in 2009 — that is, a Cuban Now! That’s What I Call Music of sorts. This ambiguity in purpose is reflected in different parts of the CDs, as will be explained further on, but this initial perception of the product makes me think of the poor chap that wants to be lead through the best of Cuban music and is given a more contemporary selection instead.

Opening the compilation with the sounds of son, disc one focuses on more recent releases rather than rehashing old favourites which is a welcome change from the usual shtick of these types of albums. The selection is quite good, ranging from the obvious inclusion of a collaboration with Ibrahim Ferrer to the more obscure bands such as Calle 23. Songs like ‘El Rejol de Pastora’ with its double entendres and ‘Macusa’ with its classic feel make for great highlights, while the version of ‘Cienfuegos Tiene Su Guaguancó’ feels rather inferior to Ibrahim Ferrer’s version in his Buena Vista Social Club Presents album. Even though most of the selections are excellent, there are some that go against the overall ‘theme’ of the CD. First of all, ‘Cachita’ and ‘Sarandonga’ aren’t Cuban songs (the former is Puerto Rican and the latter is Spanish) which makes one wonder why DJ Lubi chose cover versions of foreign songs when there is such a rich history of Cuban music to take from. Secondly, some songs, such as ‘Manteca de Corojo’ and ‘El Menú’, aren’t son at all and feel out of place in this disc.

Disc two turns up the speed and plunges the listener into Cuban salsa and timba. Most important bands from the scene are given a mention, including Los Van Van, La Charanga Habanera and Mayito Rivera, who is the current lead singer of Los Van Van and is partly responsible for the group’s reinvigorated image in the 1980s and 1990s. DJ Lubi truly shows his mastery of the genre in this disc with great tracks such as the bubbly ‘El Temba’, the amazing ‘Fiebre’ with its unique sound of two female singers and ‘Pa’ Fuera Pa’ La Calle’. In fact, these tracks are so great that they make the Van Van’s song seem surprisingly underwhelming. There is also an excellent song by Swedish group Calle Real — but wait a minute… should it even be in this release? There’s only a half-Cuban in Calle Real which makes it an odd selection for this type of album. Granted, the half-Cuban is Rickard Valdés, son of legendary Cuban pianist Bebo Valdés, but still — it is not the same as having a full fledged Cuban band.

The newer genres of hip hop and reggaeton are represented for the first time in this instalment of Beginner’s Guide… and offer a modern perspective of the island not often seen on this side of the Atlantic. However, is it worthwhile to include Cuban reggaeton that is completely interchangeable with, for example, Puerto Rican reggaeton when there is a great wealth of original Cuban output? Excluding these generic reggaeton songs, there are some very unique and incredible tracks on this CD. A noteworthy mention must be made to ‘Tocame’ by Instincto, an all-female rap group that come as Cuba’s answer to TLC, combining soulful singing, expert rapping and a positive, non-violent vibe to their music. Other excellent tracks are ‘Estamos Aquí’ where Flaco Pro samples son songs into their sound, ‘Que Equivocao’ that also features a female rapper, and ‘Salsa’ that is simply a great hip hop track with a very Cuban feel reminiscent of Orishas.

These three discs come accompanied by detailed liner notes where every track includes a short bio of every group. This proves to be a very necessary and informative addition to the CDs, as it helps the listener get acquainted to these bands and understand their place in the genre they are in. Despite its effectiveness, the idea is ruined by a sloppy execution where both the liner notes and song titles have an excess of typos that even a quick Google search would have fixed. Nascente Records should have a Spanish speaker on staff to help them avoid such embarrassments as ‘El Rejol de Pastora’ which should be written as ‘Reloj’ (clock in Spanish) and Raúl Cabrera, instead of Raúl Carbrera.

Taken as a whole, the Beginner’s Guide to Cuban Music isn’t a bad compilation. Its 43 tracks present an ample vision of how Cuba sounds and will guarantee to liven up any party. DJ Lubi really knows his stuff and it shows in the variety and high degree of excitement in the songs included. Nevertheless, an inconsistency in vision and careless delivery mar a truly exciting release which sadly brings down the overall quality of the package. But in the end, will the listeners even notice these annoyances with danceable rhythms like these?

Track list

Disc 1 — Clasico! Son Cubano
1. Grupo Sierra Maestra — El Rejol De Pastora
2. Ibrahim Ferrer & Teresa Garcia Caturia — Ausencia
3. Felix Baloy Y Su Cuban Son Allstars — Hay Madresita
4. Teresa García Caturia — Cachita
5. Alberto Rodríguez — Macusa
6. Los Compadres — Sarandonga
7. Son 14 — Que Mala Coriente
8. Candido Fabre — De Cuba Vengo Y Cubano Soy
9. Papi Oviedo Y Sus Soneros — Papi Oviedo Y Sus Soneros
10. Deboson — Maria En La Playa
11. Jovenes Classicos Del Son — Que Yo Me Voy Contigo
12. El Muso Y Su Gran Sonora — El Menu
13. Calle 23 — Manteca De Corojo
14. Cienfuegos Allstars — Cienfuegos Tiene Su Guanguancó

Disc 2 — Revolucion! Salsa Cubana & Timba
1. Los Van Van — Tranquilo Mota
2. Charanga Habanera — El Temba
3. Paulito FG — Cuidado Con El Cachumbambé
4. Pachito Alonso Y Sus Kini Kini — Qué Pena
5. Yumuri — Bailen Otra Vez
6. Jose Miquel Y Su Balanza — Pa’ Fuera, Pa’ La Calle
7. Bamboleo — Fiebre
8. Adalberto Alvarez Y Su Son — Amor De Mentira
9. Mayito Rivera — Negrito Bailador
10. Tirso Duarte — La Madre Maria
11. Calle Real — Princesa
12. Machete y Cana — Machete Y Cana llego
13. Raul Carbrera y Su Havana Power Band — No Lo Eches La Culpa
14. Maikel Blanco — Brujeria
15. Haila — Soy Tuya

Disc 3 — Cuba Now! Reggaeton & Hip-Hop
1. Madera Limpia — Salsa
2. Acento Latino — Dejala Que Llore
3. Philipsman — Rebuleo
4. Instincto — Toca Me
5. Flaco Pro — Estamos Aqui
6. Pandilla X — Encantadora
7. El Gremio — Conga Latina
8. Michelito Feat. Kid Afrika — llego Mi Lema
9. Kumar — Sonido De La Calle
10. Kid Afrika — Hats Off
11. Roll-X — La Calle Esta Diciendo
12. Telmary Diaz — Que Equivocao
13. Cubanito 20.02 — La Maestra
14. Papo Record — No Vengas