Reviews (page 5 of 15)
love !
Yeah my first 5 star! Too bad it was not a discovery. An album that I've been listening to since I discovered it decades ago. Still loving it
This album made me happy
Cool album, fun to listen to, though I don’t usually listen to Cuban music and probably won’t revisit it often.
hi i just finished this album and my favourites are: CHAN CHAN (LLEGO A CUETOO VOY PARA MARYARIII) es un temón, it's a bangerrrr 2 GARDENIAS FOR UUUU WITH THEM I WANT TO SAYY I LOVE UUU EL CUARTO DE TULA LE COGIÓ CANDELA SE KEDO DORMIDA Y NOOOO APAGÓ LA VELAA DE CAMINO A LA VEREDAAA BANGERR well that was my opinion, i love that they have included spanish music in their list, it's very important keep living the latin culture!! greetings from argentina ICE OUT
Went into this a little skeptical since j had a salsa album I did not enjoy the previous day but this album was awesome! I liked every track and will listen again!
Interesting, some nice harmonies but overall not something I would return to.
Ay Candela! Fun.
No. 358/1001 Chan Chan 4/5 De Camino a la Vereda 4/5 El Cuarto de Tula 3/5 Publo Nuevo 3/5 Dos Gardenias 3/5 Y Tu Que Has Hecho 3/5 Veinte Anos 3/5 El Carretero 3/5 Candela 3/5 Amor de Loca Juventud 3/5 Orgullecida 3/5 Murmullo 2/5 Vuena Vista Social Club 3/5 La Bayamesa 2/5 Average: 3,0 Nice listen, but not something I will seek out in the future to listen to again.
Słońce, taniec, ludzie. Fajne, ale nie moje klimaty.
Really enjoyable listen
Found treasure
bueno, si me gusta esa música así latina, es mi cultura y pues bacano, de hecho or de temas ahí si van, pero como q escuchar un álbum completo de esto así seguido la real difícil y como que ya no lo disfrute, como q esa música necesita el ambiente pra ser chimba chimba jajaajja
I don't know much about this style of music. This was a fun listen!
Listening to this was a blast from the past as I hadn't listened in so long. The album came out when I was in college and while I never owned a proper copy, I think I had a copy on cassette tape (Piracy is theft so I don't condone this behaviour :) ) A year or so after it came out I visited Cuba for a month, so I associate this album with good times, good vibes, mojitos, Cuba libres and good tunes. And this album is full of good tunes. Recommended 4 out of 5 stars.
Nice ... men, put this on, grab your wife and hold her tight, and dance slowly into the night. Great mellow music to listen to, even if you don't understand the words.
Not my jam. Not bad background music
reminds me of busy bars in Cartagena with lights and smiles
Pretty good but a lot of repetition which I’m not really fond of. Great instrumentation.
3.5/5
This is good, it's a lovely sounding taste of Cuban music and it really transports you to Havana in the 1990s. Even an uncultured gringo like me can really dig this.
Classic album
Not my thing, but still a decent listen. Feels very familiar despite never listening before. Not adding to the collection. 2.5⭐️
I just wanted to salsa, samba, and swing the entire time. Fun and entertaining, but nothing really extraordinary.
хорош,7/10
Temps in the 40s while listening to this get me to a beach
Beautifully performed and recorded with great care, but framed in a way that emphasizes nostalgia over spontaneity. The album feels curated for global consumption rather than emerging organically. Respectful and pleasant, yet oddly museum-like.
Can’t understand a word but I know exactly what it’s about.
Super fun and enjoyable listen. Great for when the sun is shining.
Although I've taken 4 years of Spanish, it's been quite a while. The bulk of what I use nowadays it to communicate with clients and their spouses in an emergency. But, that doesn't mean you can't enjoy this album. This album is relaxing, energizing, and a wonderful piece of work all together. Favorite Song: Pueblo Nuevo - Beautiful guitar melodies.
Album 96. Buena Vista Social Club (https://open.spotify.com/album/5qcOy8sMqROZ0VEfK8LJZt?si=K6U0z02UQyWKppXQatwFCQ) — Buena Vista Social Club (1997) That’s one of the many reasons why I started to learn Spanish, I guess. I knew Chan Chan for a long time, so it’s great to hear the whole album now. I can describe it as extraplanetary beautiful and fascinating. It’s so refreshing to get Cuban jazz today, after a series of mediocre albums. I’d like to relisten to it a couple of years later when I have intermediate Spanish in my head, a Pina Colada in my hand and sunny warm weather, not killing frost. 4/5 —————————————— Liked songs: — Chan Chan — De Camino a la Vereda — Pueblo Nuevo — Dos Gardenias — Veinte Años — Candela
good at times
This is a great album. For some reason I thought it came out in the mid 2000s. Way better than The Black Album.
Hasta siempre, comandante!
It was a pleasant listen, ive never really explored Latin jazz before but it would be enjoyable to listen to at any occasion, I will definitely give it another whirl.
This one hits really close to home for me, as someone who's parents played this album constantly when it came out. I don't think I really appreciated it at the time, but it was certainly foundational when I was developing my musical tastes at age 10-11. I don't think I'm really able to put into words why this album will be a 5 from me, other than the feeling is conveys is just so organic, airy, and smooth while also being emotive and a just a little rough around the edges. It's music that makes you feel at ease, like there is nothing in the world you need to be doing than sitting, listening, socializing, and soaking in a sunny day. 5/5
Ta naslovnica mi je tok znana. Mogla sm jo vidt miljonkrat kot najstnica, ker se mi nekje valja dvd od tega dokumentarca, ki ga nikol nism pogledala. Ampak, vem, da me čaka kubanska glasba. In da bo ok? Zj sm nekje na tretjini albuma in ja, je ok. Več k ok. But not for me. Če bi ga še kdaj poslušala, bi bil bolj in the background, k bi se npr. spravila kuhat kj kubanskega. To bi človek moral poslušat prav v Havani, v toplem večeru, z rumom na mizi, folk pleše, muska je live. Ne pa pozimi, v slightly mrzli kuhni, ko je že cel teden dež. Ni quite the same effect.
I’m not super familiar with the different Cuban styles but this had such a good collection of different tempos and rhythms and the vocals and instrumentalists were so solid. Not something I’d put on for really any occasion but still really good
A great album and one I got at the time of release as "world music" was a major interest of mine at the time. It was very popular especially in the UK and led to many spin off albums from the various participants who were able to finish off their lives with a big flourish hurrah! I had only listened to this a couple of weeks ago but it's never a trial to revisit, and especially enjoyable now I know some Spanish and can get the gist of lyrics.
Very calming to enjoy. Also makes me want to dance a bit
Absolutely loved this
3.5
Quite nice. Wish there was more like this on the list
Perfect pairing with dinner and a glass of wine! This album is exceptional!
Really loved it
Classic, deserves all 5 stars
I like this Latin style. In my family it is not very well appreciated.
It’s hard to say if this is essential listening for someone like myself who didn’t grow up with this kind of music. This does leave me with fresh ears to take this kind of music in. I did hear this way back when it first came out but it didn’t stick with me and upon hearing this again it’s not doing too much for me. I do recognize the great musicianship on display here, however it’s exclusively in service of some sort of dance music so the elements in these pieces are limited to a form that’s very nice and appealing to the general public. I suppose these styles just don’t seem to somehow speak to me and that’s a personal feeling and I suppose some of the problem for me is that it does crossover to a bland jazz style which is fine for most of the regular listeners out there but not for me. Once again I do acknowledge the great talent on display here so I would definitely have to rate this above 50% but I personally might not ever play this album ever again.
When you get Ry Cooder to sing your eulogy at the hundredth meridian, make sure he brings the Buena Vista Social Club
Correcto
Listened while driving to and from work. Transported me from my current -20 degree Winnipeg day to a Cuban dance hall on the beach in the summer. Unfortunately for me the only things I hate more than dancing are beaches and summer heat. An excellently made record that is just not for me.
I liked this album to an extent. The guitar fills in the noise quite well. I don't know about the singing on the other hand. Questionable for sure. Nothing to kill yourself about though.
Loved. Good for a million different moments
I’m not really that into the sounds here and not understanding any of the lyrics inhibited my ability to enjoy it a bit.
I was really excited to check this out after reading some of the reviews. I can definitely hear why people love it, and the musicianship is solid, but it didn’t grab me as much as I thought it would. The vibe is warm and laid-back, which is nice, but it sometimes felt more background-friendly than something I’d actively seek out. I’m glad I listened, even if it didn’t totally click for me.
It's diverse and expansive. A lot of groovy tunes. I'd go 3.5/5 just for my personal taste, but a 3 star rating does feel too low.
Siiiii
Joya de disco. No me canso de escucharlo. Un clásico de la música latina. Desde la primera vez que lo escuche se convirtió en uno de mis discos favoritos. Me encanta la combinación entre canciones con letra y canciones instrumentales. Para mi este disco es como una gran fiesta, bailas y cantas en las canciones con letra y te sientas a recargar fuerzas y a que te consientan el oído con las canciones instrumentales, aunque siempre puedes seguir bailando, a un ritmo más despacio, por supuesto. La calidad de músicos que conforman la agrupación es evidente mientras avanzas con las canciones. Los ritmos latinos, en repetidas ocasiones, te invitan a mover el cuerpo de lado a lado e incluso a bailar si es que estas de humor. Simplemente genial y divertido.
Love it, everything is so easy and authentic.
I've never really listened to Latin music before, and I must say it is extremely enjoyable. The great melodies, emotion, and presentation make Buena Vista Social Club very refreshing for me, as a newcomer to the genre. I will say I did recognize the singer on "Dos Gardenias" as the person who did "Latin Simone (Que Pasa Contigo)", which was interesting. I really enjoyed his work on this album, as I did with "Latin Simone". This album has piqued my interest in Latin music, I'm definitely going to check out more of what the genre has to offer. Favorite Song: "Dos Gardenias"
Ui, schön! c
Vibes are immaculate for this jazzy latin album.
Pleasant yet with an undefined end.
Good listening
Por pura coincidencia lo escuché después de Debí tirar más fotos de Bad Bunny y este es de una onda parecida pero más tranqui, más chill. Me gustaron ambos.
A very interesting listen from a group and genre I've heard very little of before. You can tell that the entire band are consummate musicians, and many of the tracks are truly beautiful pieces of work spanning clearly several genres endemic to Cuba. I'm glad this was recommended, it's a quality album, and expanded my horizons in the deep and rich world of Latin American and Caribbean music. Favorite Tracks: "Chan Chan", "Dos Gardenias", "Murmullo" Least Favorite Track: N/A Cuba Libres consumed: Two
What a pleasant surprise from a completely fresh album I'd never even heard of before. It's always cool being exposed to music from other cultures that have made their way to the US, and I'm just sad my Spanish is so bad that I can't process the lyrics. Chan Chan was such a phenomenal start that may stay in my rotation for a bit. The rest of the album couldn't quite live up to the opener in my opinion unfortunately, but it stayed a fun listen throughout. The guitar melodies were wonderful, and the trumpet was always most welcome.
Don't get me wrong, the musicianship on this album is incredible. These guys are the real deal and you can hear it in every note. "Chan Chan" alone is worth the price of admission, and there are a handful of other tracks that really got me. But as a full album listen, it kind of washes together. A lot of the songs hit a similar vibe and tempo, and by the halfway point I started zoning out. It's a great record to throw on in the background, but I doubt I'll have the urge to listen to it through again. Respect the history, respect the talent, but didn't wow me.
seems good for films
This was not the Latin music I was raised on, but I think this was beautifully made and can appreciate the artistry behind what is played.
This album was a vibe. It instantly makes you want to move your body. The instruments sound good, the vocals sound good, and when the instruments got their chance to shine in the solos it was magic. I was listening to this while watching dishes and my body couldn’t help but dance.
Maravilloso!
I honestly love this music, and can picture myself sitting in a cafe in Havana drinking an espresso and enjoying this. I can't go higher than 3 stars because I can't understand a word they're singing and lyrics are the other half of a song/album for me. Sorry, not sorry. 3 / 5
Quite interesting world music. It is a silent 4 out of buenos.
Sounds like music you'd hear on an episode of Narcos. Decently relaxing at least. Some good piano playing.
I like listening to this because it’s out of my comfort zone
Favourite tracks: Chan chan Y tu que has hecho Veinte Anos Candela
I got a little bored, sorry! Not a big acoustic girl. Faves in album order: Chan Chan Dos Gardenias Buena Vista Social Club
That album was on repeat for many years when it came out! Brought back a lot of memories.
So nice
Wonderful music. Makes you want to party in Havana. Perfect for background dinner party music. The musicianship is excellent. Get a real cool vibe here… and there is a consistent theme and concept throughout the work. Cool record.
Enjoyed it!
It's ok. You would need to be in a certain place or atmosphere to fully enjoy probably not during the winter in Scotland.
Vibes for days
Great sounding slice of world music. No idea what they’re singing about but it still sounds great. Like stepping back in time. 4
I can’t remember ever hearing this album or anything by the group for that matter. I definitely enjoyed this, a nice enjoyable listen. 3+ stars that I I will round up to 4.
Yeah, sounds like it always does. Just a little to long for me but a great album
I liked this album when it first came out and I like the remastered version as well. Really nice overall feel and tone to all the songs.
Nice. Very middle of the road. No idea why this album was so hyped up at the time.
I'll be honest, I started listening to this in the background while I did chores and immediately recognized it as "that muzak my manager always played at the Borders I worked at in 2002" and it got prejudicially categorized in my mind as boring background music. I got interrupted, so paused about halfway through, then put it back on with headphones while I paid it more attention, and WOW it's so beautiful! Immediately restarted the album and loved every minute of it. No wonder my manager at Borders in 2002 played it all the time!
Beautiful album, was great to listen to one entirely in a non-English language finally, a bit too repetitive to sit among the greatest of great that I've rated thus far but still very good
Beautiful
It is a 2 star rating
Classic, love
Feels like im on the beach in my tropico island very nice.
Absolutely remarkable. Wide range of instruments and genres- a big catalyst for Hispanic music in the years to follow. An album that truly marks history with an interesting story to tell
Nothing beats laying on the beach, rum in hand, watching the sunset while listening to this <3
Miracha band was fire
Boring. Overrated. Could tolerate a few tracks in the background if I’m in the sun or bar abroad but would get on my tits soon after. 2. My fat fingers meant my Velvet Underground review was never posted (4)
Great cover, but you cant judge an album by that. Good concept too, but I remember listening to this in the 90s and being a little underwhelmed by it, and largely feel the same today. Enjoyable in parts but doesn't really have me mantong to take a deeper dive into Cuban Music.
This is a difficult one for me because it is at heart a compilation album and as such I don’t think it deserves a place on this list. That said it was a landmark album for me, introducing me to a broader range of music than I was listening to at the time of its release, encouraging me to learn Spanish, and was partially responsible for inspiring me to visit Cuba a few years later. I still enjoy revisiting some of the tracks on occasion, although it does meander and fall flat in parts. Enjoyable nonetheless, primarily in bite-size chunks.
прікольні мексіканци,музичка прікольна але я би переслухувати не став, вообщем прікольна тема 7/10
Not mindblowing but nice listening
Fun for a bit, then I switch over to Emotion 98.3
Really good album. Felt like I was in a dusty saloon slamming whiskeys in a poncho
Radio espantoso
Although i found it enjoyable, I think that had more to do with the genre itself rather than anything this album did. Best served upside down in a car, in the water, on GTA San Andreas. Or at Revolution De Cuba in Sheff.
Reminded me of gta radio stations. Nice background music
Pleasant enough, and I’m sure it would be lovely playing in the background with a ropa vieja cooking away, but I found myself getting bored quite early on.
Really enjoyable. I guess I like Cuban music! Will listen again.
A revelation and such consistently excellent musicianship. Maybe just a touch too lazy and laid back at times for my liking, but it’s borne of the heat, humidity, the sea and rhythms of the island after all. Ry Cooder is a national treasure for being our eyes and ears in the world, uncovering its musical delights and bringing them to us.
Not my favorite that’s come up so far but I liked it! Very dance-y. I think I would’ve enjoyed more without the language barrier, I’ll have to look into what they’re singing about. 4/5
Excellent musicianship. I really enjoyed the instrumentals and even though i don't speak Spanish I really enjoyed this album.
Didnt understand a word but still enjoyed the album
i get “Chan Chan” stuck in my head like once a month. Cuban music rules
3.5
Not my cup of tea, but I can appreciate the rhythm! Listening to this album in a midst of winter felt like summer briefly stopping to say hello.
pretty forgettable album. not really my kind of music. although I do like bosa nova and salsa music, this just didn't hit that pocket in my opinion.
Fantastic!
Fav song: De Camino a la Verada 3/5
I like the sound of this one! Fun instruments and a nice upbeat melody on the songs! I get why the keywords say Vibe because it is a nice time A really fun listen and good variety across songs. Definitely a good vibe and would listen again. Fav song: El Cuarto De Tula, love the rolling R's. Only one song got a bit annoying but I can't even remember which. Probably 3 stars
Enjoyed this and felt outside my normal listening taste
Another vibey one but I zoned out a bit too much with it
lindo, por fin un album en español, +1 punto
If I had a Cuban restaurant this would definitely be on the playlist. Can't say more than that.
I love this album. So smooth, so much soul. Favourite tracks: all of them.
So good, feels nostalgic. Makes me want to dance
I remember this taking the world by storm back in the late 90s but somehow it never connected at that time. Now I see the similarity with Calexico, right up my street - not to mention it's español.
En espanol love it
Cuban elevator music
Hyvää kuubafiilistä, erinomInen kesäinen taustamusalevy
Fantastic! Jazzy and chill Cuban music with excellent rhythms. Just a lot of fun to listen to, and the production is fantastic with all of the instruments being so clear in the mix despite how busy it sounds. De Camino a La Vereda was my favourite on first listen, with Chan Chan a close second.
I can listen to this and forget that I’m in my office sending emails. Baller.
Now it let’s me add notes… I think the music sounded good, and I think there’s a time and a place for this music, BUT I gotta lay the hammer down. This is a 2. It’s just not my style, and I don’t ever see myself going… “Oh, I gotta throw on some BVSC” (unless I’m doing some sort of Spanish thing).
Liked it more than I thought I would. A few songs made it to the favorites but not sure when I could see myself playing this.
This really makes me wanna go to Cuba. Amazing vibe.
This had a real moment when it came out. Personally I've never enjoyed jazz, which this has lots of elements of, and while it's pleasant, it doesn't really grab me. It works well as background music, but I doubt I'll feel the need to listen to this again and I'm not really convinced that this is a must listen, or even one of the best albums ever to come out of central america
I live in Da Nang, a well known coastal city in central Vietnam. Perhaps because of that, I can feel the breath of the sea, the wind and the sand, in every sound this album carries. Its rhythmic drum patterns are both driving and gently swaying, pulling the listener along and making me want to step outside, sit on a beach at a distant Asian city, yet still feel a Cuban breeze blowing across my body. It truly is a lush and free spirited album.
very much enjoyed it, love the rhythm, bass, and musicality.
Incredible
Talk about an incredibly well mastered album. The spaciousness between the instruments and the tactility of the guitars and drums is incredible. I wish I wasn't so dang white and could understand the lyrics.
This was fun, but felt a little generic.
Not my personal cup of tea but good for what it was.
The best. Immediately sets the mood. So many great memories listening to this album.
Is there anything else that can be said about Buena Vista Social Club that has not already been said? I don't think so.
Not my favorite, but I guess there is cultural significance to this one.
I enjoyed the sounds of this album yet was unable to connect to the lyrics. I do question the authenticity of the work and it's something I MUST learn about. I am happy to see non English work on the list! Let's go Spanish!!!!
there's nothing for me to say about this one that you can't read elsewhere. just hit play again
It’s wonderful
Incredible album!
A beautiful audio postcard
Fire
it’s weird bc idk if I would ever just put this on but I still liked it
Not quite my tempo.
A new genre has entered the rotation
I saw someone say "No club is cooler than the Buena Vista Social Club."
good
very much hotel or nice restaurant vibes. I added a few songs. Very easy to listen while studying.
This reminded me of Papi sitting in the backyard by himself, sitting shirtless in the big brown chair. That was when he was nice to me so this made me a little sad but it mostly made me feel nostalgic.
Listening to this on a gloomy Thursday morning, and immediately got transported to a sunny beach day with coke and beer in hand. Day is made. Love this gem.
At very first listen, I'm not into it. But we shall see. I'm on song 3, which feels like song 10000. I can't wait for this album to be done lol. Wasn't my cup of tea. It was relaxing at times, but most times it wasn't music I would listen to.
what a VIBE. the perfect album for sitting in your lawn chair under a tree in your backyard with a glass of iced tea and a book.
album mto gostoso de ouvir, com ctz vou voltar nele em algum tempo. nunca fui de ouvir musica em espanhol mas esse album foi uma surpresa, me traz uma vibe de praia cubana tomando uma bebida doce e aproveitando o por do sol. 8/10. depois da segunda ouvida, percebi que o começo do album nao é tao forte, mas nao deixa de ser um album bom de ouvir. dou um 7/10.
Niet iets dat me aanstaat
Very much out of my usual listening with this one, I haven't delved too much into Cuban music but from what I've heard on this album I think I'd enjoy more later down the line !! not my favorite but a really solid album that I can imagine myself revisiting
It was okayy but not my type of music
A few good songs first one is iconic
Leuk, erg fijn om op de achtergrond te hebben. Versta er de ballen van maar heb me erg goed vermaakt.
Very mellow and pleasant.
Very swingful, makes me feeel happy for some reason!
Enjoyed it! But hard to finish.
Yearn for cuba
major guitar slay
i felt like i was in a beautiful and calm cafe in a movie that was so chic
Ja
Au bout de 35 albums, ça n'est que le deuxième qui m'est proposé qui n'est ni britannique ni américain, ça en dit long sur les biais de la liste. En tout cas, ça me fait plaisir de tomber sur celui-là ! J'ai parfois envie de l'écouter, j'écoute quelques titres puis je me lasse, c'est pas un type de musique qui m'accroche sur le long terme (pour l'instant), mais je persiste. Aujourd'hui, c'est peut-être la première fois que je l'écoute en entier et même si c'est ultra-classe et qu'il mérite amplement sa place dans cette liste, il est tout simplement iconique, c'est pas non plus un style qui me parle. Mais je le noterai très bien quand même.
First half of the album is excellent
Acc liked it but dont know if i would like really listen to it all that much maybe if im doing chores
3,5 Zeer tof & zomers, helaas is het nu winter :/ Het openingsnummer (Chan Chan) is echt een vibe! Soms iets te jazzy naar mijn goesting, maar wel altijd gezellig.
Fantastic, full of soul and emotion.
Cuba has Buena Vista Social Club and better healthcare, why would anyone willingly live in the US instead of Cuba?
Eindruck: muss man kennen, geil, Macht Spaß Rating: 8/10 Favourite: candela Anmerkungen: lieb das Cover
Erster Eindruck: urlaub Lieblingssong: „chan chan“ Overall Rating: 4/10 Andere Anmerkungen: Hab meine ersten Alben zu nett bewertet, das ist nicht schlechter, aber würd ich bis auf vielleicht chan chan nicht nochmal hören, höchstens nachts in einer Stadt am meer
So good. Timeless in the same way Kind of Blue is.
Vibey
I love this album. Need to listen to it more
couldnt finish it. not my thing ig
The vibes here are immaculate
medium
C'est vraiment un pur classique ; très très agréable à écouter !
try
New music to me. Very technical and great use of instruments.
5/5. This was a sensation stateside when it came out. And so touching when the musicians - most in their 70s and 80s - got special visas to perform in the U.S. after decades of embargo and more. It felt almost like this beautiful music could help melt those ugly laws hurting people and keeping us apart. And the music… Cuban son, bolero, the voices, the wonderful documentary too. It’s timeless, it transports, it’s universal. It’s just that good.
There was a lot of hype surrounding the album when it was released. I couldn't really get into it at the time and didn't feel like trying. I was familiar with the song Chan Chan, but didn't associate it with the band. Now I've listened to the album in its entirety for the first time and found it really interesting. It's not the kind of music I listen to all the time, but it's great fun to listen to now and then. 4/5
Забавно, но вообще не моё
ini album tuh summer bgt, plus ini pertama kali gw dengerin album full bahasa spanyol
Funky
Cafe jazz. I really want espresso and the sun. “Social Club” is really telling its music to be enjoyed in a group of people. Very sociable background music for meetings .
Like the vibe; feels very movie like. Not my go to type of music but I like how energetic It sounds and it makes you feel some sort of way. It’s refreshing to listen to compared to pop slop. Track 2 hits
Listening session: january 1st, in my room and while cooking dinner Listened to before: no Thoughts: this album makes me want to go Cuba and dance on the streets on a hot night Favourite tracks: Candela, Chan Chan & Amor de Loca Juventud
I've always loved this style ( Spanish/Mexican) genre of music. This album can be viewed as a reflection of what I love about this genre. My favorite ones are Candela (top song for sure) and Dos Gardenias.
beautiful beautiful beautiful
Beautiful, loved it, fuck yeah. I didnt realize, but i already had three of the songs from this album on another playlist! I love latib music, i love how upbeat and happy the music is. Its a very tropical groove, i can tell they had fun making this album. Its just absolutely peaceful and warming. Great music to fly a seaplane at sunset, drink ur favorite cocktail in rio during the fireworks, go on a jungle adventure, go horseback riding homies, run after this beautiful woman who caught your eye in the brazillian favella(careful with that one), or duel your masked nemesis across many roof tops during dia de los muertos to.
Smooth and relaxing, makes me feel like im at an upscale social club. I need to listen to this on a beach with a tequila sunrise in hand.
Cudowny, wspaniały
I don't really have the context to rate this compared to the prior son/Cuban music careers of a lot of the people involved. It sounded okay and it has a pretty interesting story for an album so I think I will give it 3 stars for the story. I'm glad I know about it but I probably won't put it on of my own volition.
Hope they weren’t singing anything offensive because I loved this album! Fantasticly smooth and sultry. Definitely deserves its spot on the list.
Väldigt fint. En klassiker. Men inget som får igång mig tyvärr.
so so good!
Fantastic
I love this album. There are only a couple songs I would skip, but I don’t. The mixed vocals, the instrumentation. I just want to witness this live in a outdoor small venue.
i only listened to the first song. i cant really form an opinion for the whole album... but the song i listened to- "Chan Chan" was interesting. its not at all what i listen to, but it wasnt bad.
Taste the mojito, smell the Cohiba, and let the infectious sounds of the Buena Vista Social Club fill your soul with joy.
Bought back some good memories of the time I spent in Havana drinking Cuba Libres and smoking cigars. Fun times! Would definitely play this as a backing soundtrack to a themed dinner party. Probably not on my rotation for general listening though.
I remember when this album came out. A bunch of white people were playing this in an effort to...I dunno, make themselves feel more culturally astute or some shit. It was weird. I'm not saying this is bad music because it's not. It's actually quite good. Whoever's playing these instruments knows what they're doing, their voices are pleasant. And I know the most liked review for this album is some butthurt idiot whining about how if the fact that you can't understand what they're saying bothers you, than you're a racist or some shit. I'm not bothered by this, but fuck him. Like I said, it's quite good, but I fail to understand what makes it significantly better than what I hear when I go to my favorite taco joint, though. I'm sure people could educate me, but I really don't care. Glad I listened to it, probably wouldn't listen to it again...or at least until I get some ground beef, a packet of Taco Bell seasoning, mexican cheese in a bag, grocery store tortillas and make my kid some tacos one night.
Good vibe
Unexpectedly boring. A lot of these songs feel like they loop ad nauseum without enough dynamics or switch-ups to sustain themselves.
Fabulous
Album review 034 Buena Vista Social Club by Buena Vista Social Club (1997) Rating 4/5 There is a magic about this album in that it can evoke a different sense of place and time like few others. Welcome to Havana, sometime around the mid-1950’s; pour yourself a drink, sit back and enjoy.
quite enjoyable
Overall Rating - 4.54/5 (9.07/10). This album scratches an itch I didn't realize I had.
love this album!!!! Nostalgic, catchy, and just plain good !!!!!
Already listened and own
I have never been to Cuba (unfortunately). Luckily this album nearly took me there anyway. The lush instrumentation and virtuoso playing of everyone involved gave this vibrant album a timeless feel. I love how it perfectly captures the mood that it does and I will be returning to this again.
Very good!
I need to revisit this album as I didn't actively listen to it.
Favorite Song: Candela Very nice to listen to, I loved all the Latin aspects of this album as well as the repetitiveness that never felt boring.
I honestly loved this
Perfectly enjoyable music.
Good vibes
Not quite my cup of tea
Really enjoyable
6/10
Excelente sason cubano, perfecto para escuchar en la mañana
I've been hearing about this band for like half my life, I guess they're insanely popular worldwide? I was kind of down on this in the first half, it felt like merely-OK NPR-coded dinner-party latin jazz, without the fire of a lot of the genre... and it's true that it's quite a mellow listen overall, but the slow numbers, especially in the back half, contain some stretches of remarkable beauty and brilliance, so I see how it has earned its reputation. I personally like my latin jazz a little grittier and punchier, but that doesn't detract from how good this is in general.
not my vibe at all sorry
I love the BV Social Club! Such a great group and such a great album. Loved the movie too.
How do you rate an album in a language you don’t understand? Musically I enjoy some songs more than others. It’s a perfectly fine background soundtrack but hard to give it a fair shake when I don’t know what they’re singing about. It’s a shame I can’t fully appreciate this legendary group.
I was only passingly familiar with BVSC and had been meaning to investigate them further for a little while. This album was the perfect antidote to the dreariness of a long drive through wintry mix and holiday traffic, so much so that I let it run through again and enjoyed it at least as much the second time. It kept me sane, alert, and entertained through what would have otherwise been a slog. Loved the rhythms and different instrumental voices, the harmonies and the sense that they're really having a great time playing and singing together. There was so much going on at any given time that it was the kind of music you can do the auditory equivalent of looking around the scene in a movie and keep finding new things. Fun to sing/make noise along to. Would probably have been 4.5 if that were an option. I don't know if this will stay in my pantheon but it absolutely delivered tonight and I look forward to revisiting it.
Good vibes, good story.
very fun, great vibes, my only qualm is that most of the songs are extremely similar... and I'm not just saying that because of their genre, they like actually really blended together for me... and that started to make me mad so what could've been a 4 will become a 3...
Pueblo Nuevo my beloved…
groovy and sexy. what else need an album be?
This one was a vibe all the way through. Thoroughly happy listening to this almost any time. Ignorant american in me says "i can't understand it so i can't give it the highest score" since i try to score (at least a tiny bit) based on lyricism when its there, but i simply cannot do that here. just gotta go off feel and vibe and as far as those two are concerned, banger. i think the bonus songs came on after and i didn't even mind i still wanted more
I listened to this today whilst in God’s Own Country (the Bluegrass Parkway) and absolutely loved it. 2024 was my Tejano phase, so 2026 may warrant another foray into some Latin American music.
Another album I discovered because of Vinyl Me, Please (pour several out). I thought this was the coolest shit ever when I spun it for the first time in August 2020. It’s still probably the coolest shit ever. I remember dancing poorly to it alone in the kitchen of my new house and wishing like I could be as cool as the guy on the cover. The VMP version is definitely not the best release, but it’s a treasure in my collection. “Pueblo Nuevo” always stands out each listen — I love how it begins with a simple scale then evolves into an elaborate jam while not sounding like anything more serious than a couple people jamming out in a garage. Just masterful structure and collaboration as a group. Slap after slap.
Hearing jazz fused with an unfamiliar genre is such a treat. The percussive, bouncing qualities of Latin music charged the jazz characteristics with such a lively energy. I don’t have much of a palette for Latin music, so hearing it melded with jazz helped me appreciate it, and this accessibility is probably what led to this record being on The List. Not the champagne, but the Don Julio 1942 tequila of this genre?
I remember when this came out everyone went nuts. Its good, but not nuts good.
Lift
Enjoyed it, but not really my thing
Its fine. I understand the appreciation. Not my cup of tea but enjoyable.
the clave is alive and well on this album. easy listening. 3
Not my cup of tea but some good songs.
Not really the album for a cold English winter. But in the sun, rum & coke in hand, unbeatable.
Impossible not to imagine being on holiday when listening to this album. Or being in an episode of Narcos. No specific tracks id come back to but the album has a classy vibe that i like.
The power of friendship is strong in this one. The relisten value though...
tea
I don’t get the hype. Good album nothing stands out.
Not for me, sorry.
Laid back and fabulous Cuban beats a warm and smooth listen jazz inflected a form of perfection.
Cuban royalty
these are not genres that i usually listen to. however, i enjoyed the experience, the musicianship is great and it was a rather engaging way to learn about a new culture. Cuba is really an uncharted territory for me. the listening experience is 7/10
cha cha cha
What a beautifully breezy listen. Gonna return to this when I wanna feel all happy and sunny.
Awesome Cuban music, this could make a fencepost dance.
Not an album I'd actively seek out to listen to, but a great example of music that evokes a time and place (even one that, as a white norteamericano, I have no significant exposure to). Great background/chilling music for the right vibe. El Cuarto de Tula, El Carretero, and Candela are my favorite tracks.
This band was the name to drop in the middle to late 90s. This album has no real centre to it though and is made purely as background music. Nothing else
Was so nice to listen to while working on my iPad.
I feel like im in coco. Very Spanish dancing vibes
bah ntm je l’ai déjà ecouté
Thought it was nice, but it isn't something I would choose
Not my style at all :(
Super cool album cover, super chilled album. Some tracks would fit right in Rick's Cafe in Casablanca, others in New Orleans club. A reason to go to Cuba.
Fun, chill
3.5 Cuban music in Spanish. Very fun, jazzy and upbeat. A couple songs without words, but most had words and made me feel like I was back in a restaurant in Costa Rica. Would be good to do work with it in the background
Just not big on Latin music
This album was a surprise to me! It isn’t something I normally would listen to. I enjoyed the listening to the instruments the most. It reminds me of some jazz pieces I played in high school.
I didn't like it that much
ok vibes
Zajebisty
Hadn’t heard of these guys before until today and now I’m part of the fan Club! It was muy Buena!
see oli väga hea album mida õppimise ajal kuulata, suure tõenäosusega kuulan uuesti
Dude how cool would it be if I was on a tropical island instead of here where it's really cold Favorite track: Dos Gardenias
not my thing at all. not an altogether unpleasant background noise. Wouldnt listen again
Great album!
The storytelling in the lyrics is amazing and deep
Really liked the singing. Dos gardenias is great. Want to watch the documentary now
Not my cuppa. Top track: “De Camino a la Vereda”
--Chan Chan...pleasant acoustic guitar. nice trumpet --De camino a la vereda...not really my thing. it's great background music --El cuarto de Tula...there's something sinister about this one. I like it. guitar gets a little dirty towards the end. not a criticism --Pueblo Nuevo...a fun piano-forward interlude --Dos gardenias...a sultry ballad. the trumpet compliments the voice in a wonderful way --¿Y tú qué has hecho?...another nice interplay between guitar and voice --Veinte años...a duet between a man and woman. dammit I need to learn Spanish --El carretero...the bass is simple in this one but compelling. This singer sounds like the singer from Gipsy Kings --Candela...hip shaker. love a good Caribbean trumpet --Amor de loca juventud...this is a delightful guitar jaunt --Orgullecida...another fun walk --Murmullo...like the harmonies here --Buena Vista Social Club...interesting but a little too chaotic for me. album is also getting a little long in the tooth at this point --La bayamesa...a fine closer. ready to be done
Ist ein bisschen repressiv aber würde ich es in einem Restaurant oder so hören wäre das sehr gut also so eine 3
Ayyy
I remember this being all the rage back in the day. It still holds up well, though more as a change of pace than anything else.
Great musicianship but not a style of music that does it for me
Better than Coldplay
A classic! Smooth yet peppy. I know SO many people who love this album who you’d least expect it from and I think that’s a sign.
After listening to Caetano Veloso, the Brazilian jazz fusion that came up in the generator a few days ago, Spotify automatically suggested a next album - which was this one by the Buena Vista Social Club. It actually led me to rate Caetano slightly lower than I may have, just because the music I was now listening to with Buena Vista Social Club was just soo good. In comparison Caetano needed a lower ranking. This album is perfectly executed and produced. There are so many layers of depth to each song. There is so much warmth and joy in the music style, I feel like listening to it put me in a good mood. I wonder if maybe others may feel that this album is overproduced or a little too refined for "traditional" Cuban music, but to me the level of refinement was impressive and makes me feel that this album should be a staple of my "world music" rotation which I will definitely go back to.
This is an album I'm very happy to have experienced as it instantly transported me to a different place that I've never been before. Very enjoyable at the start, it dragged a bit through the middle, but it picked itself back up near the end. I think I'm going to have to make a couple mojitos or El Presidentes this weekend now as I have a sudden craving for some rum. Also, to all the reviewers who left 1-star reviews because “this album isn’t in English”, what the hell are you doing here?
Ever since I hit the 1000 albums milestone, I’ve been trying to predict what album I’d receive next. As luck would have it, Buena Vista Social Club was my (incorrect) guess for yesterday. This must be what it felt like for Gary Hobson on Early Edition. I’d never heard of Buena Vista Social Club before I started this list, but I’m encouraged by the positive reviews that I’ve read. I’m not very knowledgeable about jazz or Cuban music, but I tend to enjoy the guitars and percussion used in Latin music, so I can’t imagine that I’ll hate this album. I found BVSC to be pretty fun to listen to, despite the fact that I’m not a Spanish speaker and that I don’t really have an ear for jazz music. As I expected, this album had some really good guitar playing and a variety of percussion instruments. I liked the conga and bongo drums quite a bit, but the udu drum was my favorite percussion instrument. I felt like I got into a groove pretty early on with this album, but the deeper I got into it, the less I was able to discern differences and style shifts, and the more things started to sound a bit repetitive to me. I still enjoyed this to a degree, but I didn’t get as much out of this as I got out of something like Kiwanuka. My plan going into this album was to pause the album after each song, and write down a few quick notes about what I’d just heard, but as the album progressed, I found myself with less and less to say. However, I do have some notes on three of the songs, which I have below: Chan Chan: The guitars and drums were excellent. It was a simple melody, but it was really beautiful. The trumpet kicking in took me by surprise, but in the best way. De camino a la vereda: The guitar tone reminds me of what I’ve heard in a lot of Latin music. It does a great job of creating a sense of place that I associate with Latin America. The lead and backing vocals sound really good together too, and I love that the trumpet made another appearance. There’s something that gently kicks in about halfway through the song (I think it’s the mbira) that really adds a nice touch to the song. Pueblo Nuevo: I was not expecting to hear piano on this album, but the intro of this song has me intrigued. There’s something very familiar about the main piano melody, but I can’t put my finger on it. I like listening to it though. I think it’s got a similar chord progression to Twist and Shout, but maybe I’m way off base with that. I enjoyed listening to BVSC, and although it wasn’t really the sort of thing I tend to gravitate towards, it did have some great guitar playing and non-traditional percussion elements that I thought were nice. Someone with a bit more musical knowledge than me will probably enjoy this more than I did, but that’s what makes this project so enjoyable.
Chan chan is nice
This is an album I always forget to listen to but it's been on my radar for ages. Love this recommend. So good and can't believe I've never taken the time to listen!