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beyond BVSC

topic posted Fri, March 30, 2007 - 8:41 AM by  Taraneh
Okay, so there's a strong tendency to dismiss Buena Vista Social Club as "Cuban Lite", but like it or not, it's introduced Cuban music to lot of people who may not have listened otherwise. The hope is that they will move on to seek out the works of other Cuban musicians. I'm sure many of you share the experience of having been a fan of Cuban music for a while already when, all of a sudden, friends of yours who had shown no prior interest all rushed out and bought the BVSC CD. So, rather than berate them for their naiveté, I'd rather tell them, "So you're interested in Cuban music now? Fantastic! If you like that, then you should also listen to..."

Suggestions?
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Taraneh
offline Taraneh
Toronto
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    Re: beyond BVSC

    Fri, March 30, 2007 - 12:02 PM
    OK!
    Well the classics of course - Benny More,
    en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Benny_More
    Celia Cruz, Orchesta Aragon and La Sonora Matancera all pre Castro Cuban music acts - that make the BVSC look like a bunch of amatures.

    Ernesto Lecuona the greatest Cuban composer and musician ever - also pre Castro
    en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ernesto_Lecuona

    Although Cuban dictatorship sponsered - The Afro Cuban All Stars are incredible.

    But, then there is someone very special named Juan Carlos Formell, son of Juan Formell of Los Van Van who fled Cuba. he is way too incredible and the new face of Cuban music.
    profile.myspace.com/index.cfm

    ''This is a musical revolution and a rescue of the rock that was censured when Communism came to the island -- the same rock which I will play someday in Havana when they let me play it my way," Formell affirms.
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      Re: beyond BVSC

      Fri, March 30, 2007 - 12:03 PM
      Juan Formell did not flee Cuba - it's his son Juan Carlos Formell who escaped - he has the myspace page - he is incredible.
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  • rachael
    rachael
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    Re: beyond BVSC

    Sun, April 1, 2007 - 10:37 PM
    Polo Montañez!!!! Guajiro Natural and Guitarra Mia are amazing.

    and Orishas. They kick ass.
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    • Cáemgen
      Cáemgen
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      Re: beyond BVSC

      Mon, April 2, 2007 - 12:24 AM
      Noone has ever heard of this "Juan Carlos Formell" the only place I see his name is on the threads here.
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        Re: beyond BVSC

        Mon, April 2, 2007 - 10:38 AM
        Perhaps you and all the folks you know in Cuba have never heard of Juan Carlos Formell - because like Celia Cruz his music is forbidden on the island. But Juan Carlos Formell has made four albums, he is very popular in Europe and around the world, he has played at the Hollywood Bowl, he is always playing at the Living Room, Jazz Standard, S.O.B.'s, Zinc Bar, and Knitting Factory in New York City, and last but not least he was nominated for a Grammy in 2000.
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        • Cáemgen
          Cáemgen
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          Re: beyond BVSC

          Tue, April 3, 2007 - 12:06 AM
          I'm listening to his myspace songs as I write. It sounds good, of course he has heavyweights - Jimmy Branly on drums, and Carlitos del Puerto Jr. on bass. Anyone would sound good with those guys backing them. Too bad there's no market for that style of Cuban music, nor any other style of Cuban music, in this country.

          There are so many groups in Cuba, that play son-fusion like this, that noone in Cuba will care to listen to those outside of Cuba like this group.
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    • Taraneh
      Taraneh
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      Re: beyond BVSC

      Wed, April 4, 2007 - 7:59 AM
      Orishas does kick ass! I only first heard of them a couple of years ago myself -- what else do you recommend in Cuban hip hop?

      most of the Cuban music I've listened to up until recently tended to be more jazz collaborations (ie old recordings of Machito & his orchestra with Charlie Parker & others, Jane Bunnett's collaborations with various Cuban musicians, Imaginary Cuba with Bill Laswell).
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    Re: beyond BVSC

    Mon, April 23, 2007 - 8:34 AM
    I've been listening to Roberto Rodriguez and his phenomenal "El Danzon de Moises" this past weekend and thought I would mention it here. Cuban-Jewish music. Each song is a skillfully executed piece of art using a mix of trumpet, accordian, violin, sax, cello, and piano. Somewhat discordant, intelligent, and bold. It's not background music, and it is probably not for everyone. But if you like this kind of thing, I highly reommend it.

    Artist's website: www.robertojuanrodriguez.com/home.html
    Label: Tzadik
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