Reviews (page 4 of 14)
Culturally significant and so easy to listen to.
Very fun and relaxing listen. Entire album was superb. Top tracks: Chan Chan, Dos Gardenias, Candela, Orgullecida
I fell in love with this album twenty years ago.
How badass is this album? Can't believe I've never seen this documentary but it's on my short list now. I can say, however, that having been to Cuba-- there are OG musicians everywhere and it's so inspiring that someone organized them as an ensemble to harness their potential on this record. It stands as this document that continues to captivate by shining a spotlight on Cuba's creative scene for the rest of the world to experience.
This style of music is not typically in my taste-zone, but I really enjoyed this album. There is a nice variety, piano-oriented Pueblo Nuevo, balladeering and muted trumpets in Dos Gardenias, and folky acoustic guitar picking throughout. Some highlights - the vocal harmony in Y Tu Que (sometimes tripled with the trumpet).
Chan Chan De Camino a La Vereda El Cuarto De Tula Candela
More fun than you should be allowed to have.
I love world music - or music from all over the world. I don't always have to understand the words, but that is not a barrier to enjoying the music.
Love this album but last time I listened to it I was sat by the water in Menorca drinking a cold beer. Doesn't really hit the same listening to it at home
What a treat. Love Eye Cooter eclectic musician.
Die Leichtigkeit des (Kubanischen)Sommers :-)
chan chan- 7 de camino a la vereda- 7 or 8 el cuarto de tula- 8 pueblo nuevo- 7 dos gardenias- 6 or 7 y tu que has hecho- 7 veinte anos- 6 el carretero- 6 or 7 candela- 7 amor de loca juventud- 7 or 8 orgullecida- 8 murmullo- 8 or 9 i want this played at my funeral tbh. buena vista social club- 8 or 9 la bayamesa- 8 or 9 they ate
I did not use to hear this genre, but I am quite impressed how good this album is. Certainly I'll hear more in the future.
This is why I signed up for One Album A Day! I would never have been exposed to this album otherwise. I LOVED it! It's a keeper.
My favorite Cuban music.
Made me happy 5⭐️
I remember when the documentary about Buena Vista Social Club came out. It gave so much more life and background to the musicians - how they’re each masters of their own instruments, and how they were assembled together to make this incredibly talented ensemble. The rhythms of the album almost require that you start dancing, at a minimum nodding along and tapping your fingers or feet. This album brings the beauty of traditional Cuban music to the masses.
Gotta put this in the regular rotation. So good.
Classic. Would listen another 100 times
I am surprised how much I liked this.
I've been listening to it since the first release - always a pleasure
Love this album!!
hell yeah this slaps. played it in the background while i cooked breakfast and felt like a chef at a resort restaurant.
drowsy and uplifting - it's the feel of an icey cola in the shade on a baking hot day. Afro-cuban jazz combining Spanish guitar, Caribbean rhythms, jazz piano and salsa horns with close vocal harmonies. Loads of harmonic minor/phrygian melody for that distinctive phrasing. Could listen to this all day.
brilliant record
Absolute classic cmon, and assigned to me on a day of beautiful weather lets go
Fantastic, loved it back then still love it today!
Love the album and love the movie, too.
Absolutely legendary album. I was first introduced to it about 5 years after release, when a colleague of mine (who's wife is Cuban) first placed it to me and then loaned me the CD. Bought my own copy not long after, and now also own it on vinyl - perfect for those lazy summer days.
Very enjoyable opening number!
Good stuff
Groovy
Loved it, made me feel like I was in a fancy lounge or some tropical vacation but chill.
Absoute classic!
Very catchy, makes me want to dance. I would save this album.
So good! I remember when this came out. I must have watched the documentary 3 or four times. But the album was on a lot.
I squealed when I saw this come up. I absolutely love Buena Vista Social Club. The feeling of it, how it makes you wanna dance, the rich culture it represents, the undertone of melancholy. If there is a top 10 album list for me this is in there.
This album was great! Not something I would have ever selected on my own, but it was a relaxing fun vibe that I enjoyed as background music. It felt timeless and would be perfect for a dinner party or summer bbq.
Écouté et ré-ecouté
Много любими
One of the best albums in the book
Gorgeous. Beautiful, joyous, soulful music being performed by people who have lives well lived.
man I got lost in this album so easily. hit after hit from start to finish, gets your blood pumping and makes you want to move. beautiful music, simply put.
Love love love this album. It’s basically just the best Cuban musicians taking a victory lap. HOWEVER!!!! I prefer the live versions of most of these songs. This kind of music just sounds better with the energy of an audience behind it.
Love this album!
Transcendental. Real lives expressed in the most visceral way. And in the words of the immortal Gord Downie, "Get Ry Cooder to sing my eulogy!"
Oh I love this album
Amazing album, excellentsound
Танцевать на заправке под музыку из альбома - бесценно) так что пятерочка от меня за настроение))
See now this is dance music that I like. Was I dancing to this around my bedroom after my shower? You bet I was. And now you have that image in your head. Happy Early Christmas!
Love this one!!! Been a favourite since it came out.
Fun album!
Masterwork.
I don't speak Spanish, but the music speaks for itself, and it is beautiful! This was an awesome album!
Fundamental para ampliar os horizontes musicais.
Way better than I remember, still makes me wanna dance.
Love it. Knew before pushing play it would be 5 stars
loved it! great vibes
Great Spanish music that I will definitely come back to.
Known before: Some songs Standouts: El Cuarto de Tula; Buena Vista Social Club 8.5/10
4.5/5
A classic. Takes me back to sitting in a cafe.
One of the best things to ever happen to humanity.
One of my favorites
Great album, casual but brilliant
Classic
Loved it. I just want to do cocaine and drink tequila at my finca in Colombia while listening to this lol
"Buena Vista Social Club" is a classic album by the Cuban ensemble of the same name, released in 1997. This album is not only a musical masterpiece but also a historical and cultural treasure. The project was spearheaded by American guitarist and producer Ry Cooder and featured some of Cuba's most talented and iconic musicians. The album captures the essence of traditional Cuban music, particularly the son cubano, and it played a pivotal role in bringing Cuban music to a global audience. Musical Diversity: The album is a rich tapestry of Cuban musical styles, including bolero, son, danzón, and guajira. It showcases the sheer diversity and beauty of Cuban music, with each track presenting a different facet of the island's musical heritage. Talented Musicians: The album features legendary Cuban musicians like Ibrahim Ferrer, Compay Segundo, Rubén González, Omara Portuondo, and many others. Their virtuosity is evident in every note, and their emotional depth adds a layer of authenticity to the music. Cultural Significance: "Buena Vista Social Club" is not just an album; it's a time capsule of Cuban music from the 20th century. The musicians involved were largely forgotten by the world, and this project resurrected their careers and preserved their musical legacy. Acoustic Brilliance: The album was recorded in Havana with a focus on capturing the purity of acoustic sound. The result is a warm, intimate recording that makes you feel like you're sitting in a Cuban cafe, savoring every note and lyric. Lyricism and Storytelling: The lyrics in the songs often tell stories of love, heartache, and the daily lives of ordinary Cubans. Even if you don't understand the Spanish lyrics, the emotion in the music is universally relatable. Ry Cooder's Production: Ry Cooder's involvement as a producer and musician helped bridge the gap between Cuban and Western musical traditions. His guitar work and overall production added a unique layer to the traditional Cuban sound. Standout Tracks: Notable tracks on the album include "Chan Chan," "Candela," "El Cuarto de Tula," "Dos Gardenias," and "Veinte Años." Each song has its own distinct charm and musical flavor. Legacy: "Buena Vista Social Club" had a profound impact on Cuban music's global recognition. It won the Grammy Award for Best Tropical Latin Performance in 1998 and has sold millions of copies worldwide. The project also inspired a documentary film by Wim Wenders that further popularized the musicians and their story. In summary, "Buena Vista Social Club" is a timeless masterpiece that transcends cultural boundaries and continues to enchant listeners around the world. It's a celebration of Cuba's musical heritage and the talent of its veteran musicians. If you appreciate authentic, heartfelt music, this album is a must-listen, and it's likely to evoke a sense of nostalgia and a desire to explore more of the rich musical history of Cuba.
gorgeous, gorgeous music
Cool vibes, i like it
Nicely done!
Easy 5 stars for this classic gem of Cuban jazz
Wow this album was everything I never knew I wanted. There's a sense of nostalgia and comfort here, despite the fact that I know very little Spanish and have never listened to this type of music before. Everything on the album exudes talent. The composition, the vocals, the instrumentation, and I'm going to assume the lyrics, all resonate universally in a way that only music can. And to have 14 tracks cover the breadth of music that this album did is a feat in its own, it's an instant classic in my book. Highlight: De Camino a La Vereda Lowlight : n/a Surprise Hit: Dos Gardenias
Uno fantástico, por fin. Absolutamente recomendable.
A classical record from this artist. Very enjoyable
Excellent
Now I have an answer to the question, “Do you know of any Cuban artists?” Endlessly replayable.
This was such a contrast to the cuban-infused dance pop I first heard with Miami Sound Machine. Such a wonderful laid back easy listen.
Total classic. This whole album is perfect.
Love the vibes, some of it makes me wanna get up and dance! This album makes me want to learn Spanish! Great addition to the music collection.
excellent, great vibe
Love the grooves and tones. Everything feels authentic. Live recording of Bitch by Mephistopheles, but tropical. Demerara vs pure cane. Unstressed strain. Similar sociocultural roots to Oblomov but qualitatively valuable regardless. Anything in order. Seriously. Organized well. Veinte Anos / Amor De Luca Juventad / Title track for decreasing public increasing public listenability
Already listened to this a billion times, certified banger.
Tapestry of sound. Complex layering. Makes you feel like dancing
Love it, but already knew it
This is such an amazing album. The songs showcasting every member to perfection. The incredibly warm and intimate production that captures the essence of the songs. The musicianship and blended harmonies. There's just nothing wrong on this album.
Just a peaceful, relaxing, fun album to listen to. Listening to this just makes you want to be on a beach somewhere relaxing. Great Cuban jazz music and the opening song, "Chan Chan", it's very well known. What I also find interesting is that this has an older sound to it - you wouldn't think this is a mid-90s album. 8/10.
Immaculate vibes. Didn't understand a word but the music and vocals are great, loved it.
Amazinggggg
Klassiker, sehr gut
5.0. Beautiful from beginning to end.
Si t’as un album à apporter sur une île déserte, ya pas d’autre choix. C’est du caramel auditif, ça te met vraiment dans la meilleure vibe
Lo llevo escuchando las ultimas semanas. Masterpiece
I loved it. Never would have found this album but it took me to another place
This album makes me want to learn Spanish.
Absolute classic album. Great chill music. Loved it.
This album slaps.
Dude, that's one of my favourite albums everrrrrr. I absolutely love it!
Very good
Love some BVSC
Loved this album so much. Amazingly mixed and performed. Never a dull moment. Beautiful instrumentation and writing.
boom
cool
I loved this when it came out. Love it still!
Really enjoyable and a great documentary too.
Inte så förtjust i en del låtar, men jävligt bra spelat grabbar!
Excellent!
Loving everything about this album. Obviously Latin heavy but still blending multiple genres like jazz, samba, blues, cumbia, salsa. There's even a few surf rock sounding songs at the end which I wasn't expecting. The vocals are so soothing. Just a wonderful amalgamation of music & people. 5/5 for me. So happy I discovered this album. This is why I keep coming back to this 1001 albums list. Amazing surprises like this.
veryyyyyy cool!!!!
LP
bonita
Musica cubana at its best. Never heard this kind of music, great blend between the jazzier and more instrumental pieces (buena vista social club, pueblo nuevo), bolero, and Cuban dance music. Amazing
lovely record.
Ohh dit ken ik wel, leuke muziek voor een zomerse avond
Awesome! One of my new favorites!
This is a jam.
Cuban son, bolero and dazon on full display in this ensemble of Latin American talent. From slow and beautiful, to catchy dance, instrumental to traditional singing this hour long listen has a full range of variety. There's also something in the way in which it was recorded (probably the nature of it being such a so many musicians in a large room) that makes it sound incredibly rich. Title-track highlights wonderful piano, but the standout is the leadoff "Chan Chan," what a banger.
A genuinely lovely album. Ry Cooder had a great idea getting all these neglected amazing musicians together.
Resonates with such joy!
Ik ben opgegroeid met Buena Vista Social Club en kan me veeeeel autoritten herinneren waar dit op repeat stond. Ook zelf op reizen veel gedraaid, good memories en good feelings.
My introduction to Cuban music. A great set by great musicians.
Not much to say, this is good music! Very enjoyable. Great vocal embellishments, instrumentation, expression. Love it all! 5 from me!
First day with 1001! Loved this album.
I absolutely love this album
This is one of my favorite albums. Listening to this makes me picture myself at some small club in Havana surrounded by the local people just taking in this whole experience.
Excelente
Great.
Une superbe entrée dans la musique hispanique
Wowowo
Wonderful album. Superb songs played by superb artists. A favourite of mine and hugely important. Love it!
I very rarely dig the international albums. It’s just hard to discern the lyrics and meanings of the songs without speaking the language. From the opening track of Chan Chan, you can tell you are in for something special. I listened to the album twice today while hanging around the house and added it to my collection.
Awesome album. Favorite songs are Chan Chan and Cuarto de Tula. Love the piano solos on Pablo Nuevo.
I LOVE this album. There is another really great BVSC record with this Cuban singer Ibrahim ferrar. Mambo Sinuendo is another great ry cooder album kind of in this vibe.
Everything about this is cool. This would have been so cool to see live.
Genre: Son cubano Favorite songs: Chan chan, El cuarto de Tula, Dos gardenias and Candela
Fantastic album. Love all the musicianship in this. Makes me want to seek out even more Latin Jazz. Absolutely enjoyable listen all the way through! 5/5
Amazing album. I love the history behind the band. Amazing playing, flawless rhythms, so much great dissonance, Latin rhythms… I could go on forever about this album. A masterclass in Latin musicianship.
Maravilhoso!!! Adicionei nos meus favoritos.
Already listened to. Great album
This was an amazing album
Very very enjoyable
Amazing album
Skipped ahead to make this the 250th rating. Not first listen; I've returned to this little slice of Cuban folk a few times when I need a pick-me-up. (Also I've found it pretty easy where I'm from to find this CD in a thrift shop, so it wound up playing in my car earlier this year) Between this, the concert, & the weed cookie that I took in later, consider me picked up. *maracas* December 12, 2022
Dave’s house.
That was the album that changed Punkrock city Berlin into a Northcarribean Easyliving Salsatown. There was no bar in 1997/1998 where BVSC wasn’t dropping out of the stereos. Or was it because citizens and scenes changed? What was hen what was egg. We don’t know. Anyway, the music is immortal.
Love this album. It’s great that such a quality recording of Cuban music was made.
Such a swinging album. I can listen to it any time, but it's especially great (for me) during work, while making dinner, or during a dinner party.
Absolute loveliness! I have a lot of nostalgia for this album - pretty sure I've seen them live, too! As soon as I saw the cover the opening of the first song jumped into my head. Fave track - "Chan Chan" as it's emblematic of the whole album for me. "Pueblo Nuevo" is also a great track...
Chan Chan immediately feels like home after a long absence. I'd forgotten how much I love this music.
Joya de la música latinoamericana
Really good. This might be one of my favorite albums from this list. Everything about it is great.
Always a great album!!
Really good album, And danceable!
I love this album. The music is magic. You can’t ask for a better album to put on when cleaning the house. The pianist, Rubén González, is phenomenal. He had such a light, playful touch. I’ve listened to some of his solo albums too and for a period of time they were my go-to choice when I was stressed or anxious. When you focus on his piano playing, it’s impossible to not smile. “Pueblo Nuevo” on this album is a great showcase for his playing.
Excellent album that I'm really happy to see on this list. It really takes you to a place. Good music of any specific culture will tend to do that, but there are some real magical things happening here that transport me to Cuba. I'm pretty sure this is the one album that is played on loop at our local Latin restaurant. Solid all around!
<3
Lyden av barndom for min del: denne ble spilt masse hjemme! Kanskje jeg er nostalgisk, men liker denne fryktelig godt.
In my all-time top 10
After listening to just the first track, one can easily see why this is one of the greatest albums of all time. While I cannot understand the lyrics, the instruments all complement each other very well, the mixing is unlike anything I’ve heard, and the musical content is outstanding. It is a very layered album that I can’t wait to listen to many more times in the future. Also, I cannot believe this came out in 1997! The mix and master alone can easily pass as being from the 2010s.
Classic. Great one. The second half is the best part for me. Maybe because I hear a lot less than the first one. Easy five.
Any excuse to stick this on. Also it's the 25th anniversary of its release next week. First heard 6-7 years after its release, and then went mad for the sound, grabbing compilations of Compay Segundo and Omara Purtuondo's stuff. It is, obviously, wonderfully transportative music that could lift any mood. Just great.
Love for chill summer listening vibes. A classic
Didn't listen in full but 3/4 of the album, it's pretty fucking awesome, really liked the instrumental. Really chill sound
Chan Chan is the best!
Great!
Beautiful through and through
Fast, fun and has a warm acoustic sound
A classic!
I enjoyed every minute of this. The story of the making of the album almost seems apocryphal. Best track: Chan Chan
Masterful. I love everything about this album.
Pure perfection
I’m in love. Completely enamored.
Classico y maravilloso
04/28/2022 Solid album!
Fuck yeah, love this shit so much.
This album was such a revelation
Amazing album as always
If you think I'm giving less than 5 stars then clearly you hain't been paying attention. Ibrahim Ferrer is one of my musical heroes. I've oddly never heard this, but I've had Rhythms del Mundo on moderately heavy rotation for about 15 years now.
Really like this album, so summery and uplifting
Love it!
I love this so fucking much, god I wanna go to Sicilly. Even though it's Cuban. And they speak spanish. But it's close and I still love it too much to give it less than top score.
I loved it. It is a great album.
Fantastisch album voor bij een zomers weertje! Direct in Cubaanse sferen vanaf de eerste noot. Een uurtje genieten!
Maravilhoso d+
5/5. Historical, very lovely, nuff said
I just love this album, a lot of nostalgia for me with this one. Masterfully Cubano.
A beautiful classic.
Beautiful album. Not a wild range, but the instrumentation worked wonderfully for what it was. I love this album-a-day!
I love this album. They have such a unique and pure sound. It's one of those albums that speak directly to your heart and feels like a balm to the soul.
New one for me. Nice for cooking.
Great album! Introduces the world to Cuban music, I guess. But I love the beats and the instruments. Great variation in the music, all are excellent
Groovy
Great album. Always loved this one.
It's a classic, listened to this a lot growing up. It's impressive how an album from a genre that normally gets very little exposure became this popular
HERMOSO
Acere, que bola!
This album got into myy soull every song but especially camino vereda and the womans songs
Just awesome.
Listened to this one for pretty much an entire day, the composition is amazing and absolutely fantastic as background music for a relaxed diner. It does really feel like it was recorded in a Cuban social club, and the album is amazing for it.
Delightful. Really enjoyed it.
I think this is a great thing, a true artifact in culture. It has its imperfections but for what it is in itself, about perfect
A great album, got some heavy listening from me and friends back in the day.
J'ai noté l'album de living color 5/5 au lieu de cette album. Mais living color est 4.15 et celui ci est 5/5. Vraiment un classique. Tellement bon.
Great world afro-cuban album.
Not sure I could manage the whole album in 1 go but this is a significant enough album from the late 90s that was part of me visiting Cuba so marked up
Claro que sí, por favor
Amazing bossa nova album I absolutely love this album its sooooo good. The mood the instrumentation even tho I have no idea what they're saying. I feel like I'm being transported to Cuba with a cigar in my mouth. 9.5/10
Awesome vibes
Calming, Latin
Great to revisit this one.
Top notch chill Cuban music. Maybe best for background listening?
Brilliant for any occasion
I haven't listened to a lot of cuban music so this was a real treat to listen to critically. Well produced with a lot of beautiful musicianship on display. Favorite Song: Dos Gardenias
Classic
Love it start to finish. Timeless. Contains all life itself.
Gawd, this is so good. Absolutely heartfelt and timeless.
Absolutely impeccable Cuban music. The artistry and lyrical genius on here is hard to deny. Near perfect. Will always put this on if I have a rainy day.
Such a fantastic album, Ry Cooder is a national treasure.
La joya de cuba.
This is sublime, loved every song.
Un album recontra escuchado. Joya de músicos.
I was introduced to this album by my Chinese-Brazilian roommate along with a bunch of bossanova stuff. I played this one and Joao Gilberto Live in Montreux endlessly for months, and I still come back to this one frequently. It's even on my regular running playlist. I just love it.
Classic.
Class album
Love it. Mum had this album and a live DVD too ... remember this album cover vividly
Ultra nice, auch schön, endlich mal ein Album zu hören, das nicht aus den USA oder GB kommt. Einfach ein gut gemachtes Album, die Songs sind wie aus einem Guss.
Liked it a lot.
I remember when this came out. We listened to it a lot in my highschool.. particularly my percussion class! I didn't like it much then. Now, it is very much for me. Very warm, I love the simple but lush percussion. I am really enjoying how languid Pueblo Nuevo is. El Cuarto de Tula has some great playing and listening, too.
I swear i’ve heard a lot of these songs as background in film and TV, most likely Dexter. Incredible playing. Incredible vibes front to back. Some of these tracks are absolutely beautiful. A LITTLE bit too long here and there but there are so many worse ways to spend an hour.
I remember liking this when it came out back in the day. It's novel and a peek into the Cuban culture. Pretty solid on listen now but now quite a 5.
latin, 1997 -> 4
very pleasant album, always a fan of Cuban vibes
Ry Cooder for the win!
i never listen to spanish music but i honestly really liked the uplifting feeling i had while listening
There’s an almost calypso feel to some of the songs on this record. It’s like Harry Belafonte introduced us to Caribbean music and culture in the 50s and BVSC re-introduced it to us in 1997, only this time instead of Trinidad, we got Cuba. The music is so passionate and even sensual, I could listen to them for hours. I typically complain about the length of albums if they exceed, say, 55 minutes, but there are exceptions, and this is one. Ibrahim Ferrer had a beautiful voice. Compay Segundo played guitar with passion and fire. Exquisite music that speaks to the soul. Went ahead and watched the documentary. Totally worth it. And scratch the calypso comparison - this is a unique music culture and should not share a spotlight with any other genre. 4 stars
hell yeah
Beautiful and warm world music perfect for many listening situations.
Made me wanna shake my can !!!!
soooo coole melodien! klingt nach urlaub :)
decidi dar outra chance. o álbum começa meio bons sentimentos e com o tempo ele fica meio sexy e lento?? e também fica espontâneo, com as vozes alternando mais um pouquinho. o veredito é 8/10 , meu primeiro álbum em espanhol (completamente em espanhol.)
Have I listened to this album before No How familiar am I with this album Completely unfamiliar How do I feel about this artist? The name sounds familiar but I don’t really know them Pre-Listen Thoughts: I never listen to Latin music, but that’s the whole point of this project is to do new things Favorite track(s): Not sure, they kind of blended together but I enjoyed it Post-Listen Thoughts: It was 85° outside when I put this on, and that feels right. It’s an hour long but it went by pretty quickly. The beats were fun, and the instrumentation was interesting. I didn’t understand any of the lyrics but that’s OK.
Not bad, pretty good, chill music.
One of those magical performances that only happens once in a lifetime (The documentary it's a must) ... Incredible sound (textured voices and natural breaths) A perfect reminder of what music is really about: outstanding technique combined with the power to transmit a way of life.
Made me nostalgic for a type of love that I've never experienced. Also, Ry Cooder's guitar <3 favourite track: el carretero
Jeg synes godt nok det bare er fint og hyggeligt og dejligt da. Rigtig sommerstemning - gad godt drikke 100 øl til, stille og roligt.
* 76 Den lander perfekt på varm solskins fredag. Stik mig en Daiquiri.
A very good listen. Definitely some of the best Latin music I’ve ever heard because of how rich the voices and the music is.
Catchy
this was actually very good atmospheric and fun jazz
banger
Amazing musicians. The talent is just incredible. Glad this was recorded and popularized. There's a rich history here and such strong nostalgia. This is not an album I would have on repeat all the time, but I will definitely revisit it
Al fin un disco no anglófilo! Ponele Nota: 3.7
Wonderful
And on to the next one. I'll be honest, never heard of the act, and I'm not doing much research before I listen. So I'm going into this with a familiarity of 0/10. So, no time like the present, let's dive in with the album. "Chan Chan" Oh. OH! This is GOOD. No hablo español. So the lyrics aren't meaningful, but wow, the sound... this is gonna be fun one isn't it? OH! That TRUMPET! Yeah, I'm in love. I was about to talk about the spanish guitar and bongos being so subtle, but that muted trumpet was such a perfect spice. Yeah, if this is setting a tone I'm gonna love this album. "De camino a la vereda" This just... feels like Havana or San Juan. It feels tropical and sunny. And now I need to go make a rum drink, because DAMN. Caribbean, and specifically Cuban things like this are my JAM. "El cuarto de Tula" Yeah, this is GOOD. This whole album so far would go on my Tiki Bar playlist. It's just the right vibe. I'm loving the whole thing so far. The talent and ability is amazing, and you can just tell they are friends and having FUN. This feels like a party jam session that got recorded. "Pueblo Nuevo" Oh! PIANO. This is a different feel, and I'm here for it, nice piano jazz. This is the kind of stuff my grandfather and father used to play. (Grandfather was a professional jazz pianist) This gives me happy memories. "Dos gardenias" Ooooh, down beat. LOVE it. This feels... Smokey. Soulful and gorgeous. This is so good with that muted trumpet so forward. "¿Y tú qué has hecho?" Oooh, this has a more traditional sound, and the duet is stunning. The baritone and tenor are blending nice, even if the bari is sounding a little croaky. This is just great! Wait, is it the tenor that is croaky? This is weird, I can hear one of them, but not which. "Veinte años" Just realizing these are all latin standards. THAT'S why it sounds so familiar... this is COOL. They are so talented and making them all their own. This is also the first female voice this far forward, in another duet. "El carretero" Back to the party! That upright base is FAT, I'm loving how forward it is, and the washboard is a nice driving percussion in the background. This is just expertly crafted. "Candela" The percussion!! And then the ensemble singing. Gosh... this sounds exactly like what I'd hear in the bodegas in Tampa where I would buy cubanos when I was in High School. I can practically smell the stewed pork, the toasted bread, and the pickles. Now I want a sandwich. "Amor de loca juventud" Wow, this one is familar, it sounds so much like some stuff my grandfather would play. Actually a little distracting because of that, but so good! "Orgullecida" Huh... again! Except with a gorgeous country twang to it, this is a treat! Steel Guitar is so fun to listen to. It either sounds tropical or country, this does both at once! And once the trumpet kicked in, it almost sounded like a Louis Prima track. "Murmullo" More Piano! Yay! Oh... wow... this is GOOD. the brushed snares, the bass, and the duet with the piano, it's just nostalgic and so good. "Buena Vista Social Club" This feels like a wonderful extension of the previous track. Just with no vocals. "La bayamesa" And a nice smooth finish to the album, this wtapped perfectly and with the drink I made earlier I'm just floaring and happy. GREAT hour of music and experience. Gosh, this was a surprise. SO much fun, so enjoyable and weirdly nostalgic in odd ways. ALso some of the combinations of instrumentations were unexpected in charming and bewitching ways that seemed to blend genres and just make this album more unique. It was a joy to listen to from start to finish, and such a wonderful experience. Favorite Song: Candela Least Favorite Song: Buena Vista Social Club Album rating 9.5/10 Familiarity: 4/10 Would I listen to again:This is my favorite so far. This whole album has been put on my Tiki Bar playlist, and yeah, I would vibe with this, expecially on a beach with flip flops and a cuba libra in my hand.
Very good and popular Cuban album from the late 1990s. At an hour long, I enjoyed pretty much the entire thing.
another first listen. i am surprised to find an album like this on this list, honestly. i figured it would be usa/eu centric. this is lovely. im not incredibly experienced in these sounds, so its nice to hear something outside of my normal wheelhouse. favorite tracks: Candela, Buena Vista Social Club
Ändå mysig o jävligt vass musikaliskt latino
If the Bueno Vista Social Club was a real place, I would love to go have a cocktail and watch people far more coordinated than me do some Cubano dancing. This was a fun listen.
This is just that tasty, tasty good groove that defies genre. Talented musicians that are dialed in with each other to create some amazing tracks. Stronger at the top than towards the end, but still a great album that makes you feel every note.
The overall vibe is excellent but it does peter out toward the end. I saw the movie again recently and recall a little more pep.
Beachy, easy breezy listening experience. VIVA CUBA!!!
Obligatorisches Album für ungefähr 53% aller Haushalte in den 1990ern und 2000ern. Schönes Album.
Bezugnahme @tapeworm: Hätte ich tatsächlich auch auf CD hören können statt bei Spotify. Diese melancholischen Latin-Tracks machen mich weirdly froh. Hype of the past absolut berechtigt.
I liked this already and I still like it now
Excelente ameno
My Spanish isn't the best, but it doesn't need to be - this album can get you nodding along or shaking your foot without having to know a lick of the language. That is what good music should be able to do - transcend language. This album transcends language.
Chan Chan is my favorite song off of this album
Wat een heerlijke plaat! Bij het eerste lied ben je meteen in Cuba en met je herinneringen bij de film Chef. Ik moet wel toegeven dat ik hem de eerste paar nummers sterker vind dan de laatste paar nummers.
Vandaag op de terugweg van een trouwdienst beluisterd. Het speelplezier druipt er vanaf. Fijn trompetje steeds. Lekker muziek maken met elkaar
Het is een heel goed album, wel doodgedraaid als achtergrondmuziek door veel mensen. Het album begint heel sterk met chan chan wat heel veel diepte heeft in geluid. Niet alle nummers zijn daarna even sterk. Ik vind het wel zonde als je het album begint met je sterkste nummer, dan is er daarna minder om naar uit te kijken.
Afgelopen weekend hebben we Paris Texas gekeken van Wim Wenders. De muziek van Ry Cooder viel mij al op. Er is dus een docu van Wim Wenders over de totstandkoming van deze plaat met Ry Cooder. Bijzonder verhaal en het was bijna niet gemaakt omdat de Malinese muzikanten geen transitvisa kregen. Toen is er voor gekozen om traditionele Cubaanse nummers op te nemen met vergeten muziekanten die hierdoor een comeback maakten. Het album krijgt wel wat kritiek omdat Ry Cooder een westers toeristische sfeer op het album heeft gebracht. Als een soort Knorr wereldgerecht wat ook in die periode zijn intrede deed. Ik kan mij wel gedeeltelijk vinden in de die kritiek. Als je de eerdere opnames van Arsenio Rodriguez en Beny Moré hoort dan snap ik het wel dat echte liefhebbers dat beter vinden. Toch is het wel een leuke kennismaking met Son cubano die je anders niet zo snel had gehad en waren al deze muziekanten al vergeten. Het plezier van de muziekanten is hoorbaar op de plaat en blaas deze muziek weer nieuw leven in. Dit weekend ga ik de film kijken.
Heel mooi album. In de essentie is dit voor mijn gevoel ook een soort oermuziek. Natuurlijk is het gemoderniseerd, maar de basis voelt heel puur en eerlijk, als je begrijpt wat ik bedoel. Het is zo'n plaat die je prima op de achtergrond kunt opzetten terwijl je een glas wijn drinkt, maar waar je vervolgens toch steeds weer met je aandacht naartoe wordt getrokken. Er zit iets heel warms en sfeervols in, en als je er een beetje gevoelig voor bent kan het je ook echt raken. Wat ik vooral tof vind, is hoe los alles klinkt. Nergens voelt het alsof de muzikanten iets proberen te bewijzen; het lijkt alsof ze gewoon samen muziek aan het maken zijn en daar ontzettend veel plezier in hebben. En uiteraard liefde voor de trompet!
The background music of every "fancy" coffee place. I usually don't like this music, but this is quite fine.
I mean, I dance salsa. I think I’m obliged to give it a 4. Very good!
Thank God I got this on a warm summers' day while I was wearing a loose fitting linen shirt. Admittedly I was at work which is not part of the intended listening experience, but I still couldn't help but be transported to a cafe in Havana sipping on Mojito under the Caribbean sun while listening to the sounds presented on this album while watching 50's Chevrolets drive by. I genuinely do hope to visit and try experiencing this picture myself one day.
Definitely the best pic so far! I really enjoyed the Spanish singing with the upbeat and vibey backing. Had listened to this album before so I knew a couple songs. Definitely recommend if your in a good mood
Really feels like tropical vacation, i love that vibe.
Good Mexicana music. I should dive more into it and the Broadway show too
Listening to this album was such fun. It has that light warm vibe and I totally enjoyed it.
Fun, relaxing, and just a straight up groove to listen to. You can just -tell- the history and culture that comes from this album. Cuban Jazz is now a good go-to for relaxing music!
Has such hypnotic qualities it made me accidentally miss my exit on my commute... It's just a simple vibe. There's little to bring against it. It even exudes some americana by incorporating the occasional song with that typical blues structure but cubanised. It's traditional but not stuck in a vacuum and ever fluent, making it timeless.
It was different to other albums so far and I really enjoyed the vibes
vibes starts off strong but wavers as it progresses
4/5 Favorite Songs: Chan Chan El Cuarto De Tula Pueblo Nuevo Veinte Ano Orgullecida Buena Vista Social Club
This album is significant in that it heightened my awareness and appreciation of Cuban music and it's great beauty. It also led to an awareness and appreciation of other Caribbean music styles. Ry Cooder did a great job documenting the music for which I am thankful.
Lovely album, I’ll come back to it but only in specific times
Solo por "Chan Chan" ya son 3 estrellas, pero a ver hasta donde llega. No hay mucho más que decir: "De camino a la vereda", "El carretero" y "Candela". 4 estrellas ****.
It was okay at first but absolutely won me over by the second listen.
It’s like warm summer sun enjoying moment!
So good.
ry cooder on so many of these albums from random ass countries shoutout to him cool asf this site been giving me too many bangers lately where the abysmal dogshit at???
Lovely, and listened to it on the hottest day of the year - an absolute vibe
I love this album, heard it 100 times. Once again I got to travel through emotions with this gentlemen and their soft but confident touch. This album sounds like life.
super pleasant, very fun
More of this in my life please!!!
Stuff like this is what makes this project so interesting. I never would have listened to this on my own. I have vague memories of this album being a big deal when it came out, but 16 year old me was too “cool” to give it a listen. Fantastic music, start to finish.
Really great jazzy sound.
Chan Chan - 4.5/5 De Camino a la Vereda - 4/5 El Cuarto de Tula - 4.5/5 Pueblo Nuevo - 3.5/5 Dos Gardenias - 3.5/5 ¿Y Tú Qué Has Hecho? - 3.5/5 Veinte Años - 3.5/5 El Carretero - 4/5 Candela - 4/5 Amor de Loca Juventud - 3.5/5 Orgullecida - 3/5 Murmulio - 3/5 Buena Vista Social Club - 3.5/5 La Bayamesa - 3.5/5 Another surprise from the generator! I had no idea about what Cuban music was like, and it's nice to hear that it has a distinct flair to it while being stylistically similar to other genres from the Caribbean. I can understand the criticism of this being a "white knight" coming in to culturally appropriate local music, but from what it seems this was more of the other Cuban musicians getting their one chance to show off their musical heritage off to the world where they otherwise could not. Overall: 4/5 Favorites: Chan Chan, El Cuarto de Tula
Pretty joyful and fun music. I like the percussion and in your face instrumentation. There is a cuban guy who works at walmart in Fuquay and so in addition to rotisserie chickens, you can buy shredded cuban beef, flautas, plantains, for $5. He says its the best cuban food you can buy in the states outside of Miami. I'll have to take his word for it but I can attest that it is very good.
This was great, it was nice to finally escape out of the mid 80's anglo churn that has been given to my group for the past week. For maybe the only time in my whole participation in this, I enjoyed the songs with lyrics better than the instrumentals. The instrumentals were great too, but the voice in Cuban music is almost like an instrument in itself rather than the extremes of a musical garnish or the entire show like in so any other genres. The opening half of the album is definitely more upbeat and exciting but the latter half holds it own just as well, if with a different vibe. I think a more modern album assembler would've mixed the tracks up but this isn't too weird for the 90's in general. This was really nice to listen to and ran through all sorts of motifs and expressions. It's always good to get out of your comfort zone with music and be surprised by how much you've been missing.