Irakere - "Cuba Libre" - recorded in Japan 1980

"Cuba Libre" - 1980 Japan
vinyl LP

An interesting 'Irakere' LP, recorded in Japan in 1980. The interesting part is that all the tunes on this session were composed, arranged and produced by 'Chikara Ueda' from Japan. At this point, Paquito D' had already left the band, replaced by German Velazco. Sandoval remained on trumpet. I have always liked the Sandoval/Varona pairing, they complimented each others styles well. And my all time favorite Conguero: 'Jorge "El Nino" Alfonso' sounds impeccable... with the unique "style" and "technique" all his own. (Miguel Angá Diaz would later adopt that same style) Unfortunately, 'Jorge "El Nino" Alfonso' would eventually die from suicide in Cuba... and 'Miguel Angá' would later die of a heart attack in Spain.

Arsenio Rodríguez - Rca-victor 1940-1956 - Cuba

El Alma De Cuba

Rca-victor 'Arsenio Rodriguez' Recordings 1940-1956
(6 Cd Box-set TCD315)Label: Tumbao Cuban Classics

The eventual release of the Arsenio Rodriguez Rca-Victor recordings.
Everything he ever recorded in studio "in Cuba", 1940-1956
All remastered from the original Rca-Victor 78 rpm's.
(Unfortunately the "remastering" is not really so great)
Featuring: Miguelito Cuní, Felix Chappotín, René Álvarez, Rubén González, Luis "Lilí" Martínez Griñán, Guillermo Fellove, Lázaro Prieto, Benitín Bustillo, Domingo Corbacho, Marcelino Guerra, Alfredo "Chocolate" Armenteros, Félix "Chocolate" Alfonso... and others.

CD-1: 1940-1944

1. EL PIRULERO NO VUELVE MÁS (A. Rodríguez) pregón
2. YO TA’ NAMORÁ (A. Rodríguez) afro
3. CORAZÓN DE HIELO (A. Rodríguez) Bolero
4. YO TUVE LA CULPA (A. Rodríguez) Bolero
5. NO HACE NA’ LA MUJER (Bienvenido J. Gutiérrez) Guaracha
6. TODOS SEGUIMOS LA CONGA (A. Rodríguez) Conga
7. SEDIENTO DE AMOR (Jacinto Scull) Bolero son
8. COMO TRAIGO LA YUCA (A. Rodríguez) Guaracha
9. CON UN SOLO PIE (Bienvenido J. Gutiérrez) Conga
10. INTRANQUILIDAD (Mercedes Valdés) Bolero
11. SIN TU QUERER (Pablo Cairo) Bolero son
12. SANDUNGUERA (Luís Piedra) Guaracha
13. ¡SO CABALLO! (A. Rodríguez) Son montuno
14. TRISTE LUCHA (A. Rodríguez) Bolero son
15. ÑAÑA SERÉ (A. Rodríguez-Guillermo Valdés) Guaracha
16. A BUSCAR CAMARÓN (A.Rodríguez) Son montuno
17. PILLA CON PILLA (Guillermo Valdés) Son montuno
18. OYE COMO DICE (Felix Chappottín) Bolero Son
19. CAMINA A TRABAJÁ, ARAGÁN (A. Rodríguez-J. Scull) Son montuno
20. ¿QUIÉN SERÁ MI AMOR ? (Mercedes Valdés) Bolero son
21. QUIEN AMA NO TRAICIONA (A. Rodríguez) Bolero son
22. MI CHINITA ME BOTÓ (A. Rodríguez) Son Guajiro
23. OYE MI CONSEJO (A. Rodríguez) Bolero son
24. ESTÁS EQUIVOCADA (Osvaldo Farrés) Bolero son

CD-2: 1944-1946

1. MUJERES, ENAMÓRENME (A. Rodríguez) Guaracha
2. YO NO COMO CORAZÓN DE CHIVO (A. Rodríguez) Guaracha son
3. TU NO ERES CULPABLE (Pepe Robles-Marcelino Guerra) Bolero
4. MI GUANE (Rafael López) guajira
5. NADIE MÁS QUE TÚ (Jacinto Scull) Bolero son
6. TIMBILLA (A. Rodríguez) Rumba de Cajón
7. AGONÍA (A. Rodríguez) Bolero
8. YEYÉ (Emilio Sanso-O. Gainza) pregón
9. DEUDA (Luís Marquetti) Bolero
10. NO HAY YAYA SIN GUAYACÁN (A. Rodríguez) Son montuno
11. YA LO VERÁS (A. Rodríguez) Bolero
12. CANTA, MONTERO (A. Rodríguez) Guajira son
13. INSPIRACIÓN (Pablo Pérez Chorot) Bolero
14. EL ÚLTIMO AMOR (A. Rodríguez) Bolero
15. CHICHARRONERO (Luís Martínez) Son
16. UNA EXPERIÉNCIA MÁS (A. Rodríguez) Bolero
17. DAME UN CACHITO PA’ HUELÉ (A. Rodríguez) Son montuno
18. EL RELOJ DE PASTORA ( A. Rodríguez) Son
19. SE ACABARON LOS GUAPOS EN YATERAS (Luís Martínez) Son
20. CANGREJO FUE A ESTUDIAR (A. Rodríguez) son montuno
21. TENGO QUE OLVIDARTE (Jacinto Scull) Bolero son
22. CELOS DE MUJER (A. Rodríguez) Guaracha
23. JUVENTUD AMALIANA (A. Rodríguez) Guaguancó
24. SEMILLA DE CAÑA BRAVA (Luís Martínez) Guaracha
25. ¿POR QUÉ LA TRAJISTE? (A. Rodríguez) Bolero son

CD-3: 1947-1949

1. MI CONVICCIÓN (Luís Martínez) Bolero son
2. ADIVÍNALO (José Luís Forest) Guaracha
3. SOY EL TERROR (A. Rodríguez) Son
4. LO DICEN TODAS (A. Rodríguez) Guaracha
5. LA VIDA ES UN SUEÑO (A. Rodríguez) Bolero
6. EL TABERNERO (Rafael Ortiz) Bolero
7. EL CERRO TIENE LA LLAVE (Fernando Noa) Guaracha
8. TE ESPERARÉ (Luís Martínez) Bolero
9. NO VUELVO A MORÓN (Otilio Portal) Son montuno
10. ESA CHINA TIENE COIMBRE (A. Rodríguez) Son montuno
11. SOY TU DESTINO (Isolina Carrillo) Bolero
12. SACANDO CANDELA (Gervasio Kessell) Guaracha
13. A PUERTO RICO (A. Rodríguez) Bolero
14. NO TOQUE EL GUAO (A. Rodríguez) Son montuno
15. ME SIENTO MUY SOLO (A. Rodríguez) Bolero
16. A BELÉN LE TOCA AHORA (A. Rodríguez) Guaguancó
17. LOS TRES JUANES (Bienvenido Julián Gutiérrez) Bolero
18. LUNA AL AMANECER (Luís Martínez) Bolero
19. DAME UN BESITO (A. Rodríguez) Son montuno
20. ORGULLO INUTIL (Rosendo Ruiz, Jr.) Bolero
21. LO QUE DICE USTED (Jesús Guerra) Son montuno
22. NO ME LLORES MÁS (Luís Martínez) Son montuno
23. EN SU PARTIR (Jacinto Scull) Bolero
24 PUEBLO NUEVO SE PASÓ (Luís Martínez) Guaguancó
25. FELIZ VIAJE (A. Rodríguez) Bolero

CD-4: 1949-1950

1. LLEVATELO TODO (Luís Martínez) Son montuno
2. MÍRAME MÁS (Enrique Hernández) Bolero
3. FLOR DEL FANGO (Cristóbal Doval) Bolero
4. QUE COSAS TENDRAN LAS MUJERES (Luís Martínez) Son montuno
5. ME BOTE DE GUAÑO (Alfredo Armenteros) Montuno
6. ES MEJOR OLVIDARTE (René Scull) Bolero
7. EL PALO TIENE CURUJEY (Pascual Bueno Griñán) Son montuno
8. FINALIZA UN AMOR (Raúl Díaz) Bolero
9. LOS SITIOS ACERÉ (Silvio A. Pino) Guaguancó
10. SAGRADO AMOR (Lázaro Prieto) Bolero
11. FLOR DE CANELA (A. Rodríguez) Bolero
12. DUNDUNBANZA (A. Rodríguez) Son montuno
13. PERO YO NO SÉ (F.Chappotín) Bolero
14. JUVENTUD DE COLÓN (Federico Gayle) Guaguancó
15. POR TU BIEN (Luís Martínez Griñan) Bolero
16. NO PUEDO COMER VISTAGACHA (A. Rodríguez) Guaracha
17. KILA, QUIQUE Y CHOCOLATE (Israel Rodríguez) Son montuno
18. VUELVO A LA VIDA (A. Rodríguez) Bolero
19. EL RUMBÓN DE LUYANO (Lázaro Prieto) Guaguancó
20. RECUERDA AQUELLA NOCHE (A. Rodríguez) Bolero
21. EL RINCÓN CALIENTE (A. Rodríguez) Son montuno
22. ¡QUÉ SUSTO! (A. Rodríguez) Bolero
23. LA SANDUNGA DEL SON (Raúl Díaz) Son
24. CON RECIPROCIDAD (Bienvenido J. Gutiérrez) Bolero

CD-5: 1950-1951

1. ANABACOA (J.Ramírez) Guaracha
2. CÁRDENAS (A. Rodríguez) Bolero
3. TEN VALOR (A. Rodríguez) Bolero
4. CON UN AMOR SE BORRA OTRO AMOR (A. Rodríguez) Son montuno
5. JUVENTUD DE CAYO HUESO (A. Rodríguez) Guaguancó
6. TODO TERMINÓ (Israel Rodríguez) Bolero
7. ‘TA BENITO (A. Rodríguez) Afro
8. AQUÍ COMO ALLÁ (A. Rodríguez) Lamento afro
9. TE MANTEGO Y NO QUIERES (Rafael Ortiz) Son montuno
10. CREE LO QUE TÚ QUIERAS (Jacinto Scull) Bolero
11. EL QUE NO TIENE NO VALE (Félix Chappotín) Bolero son
12. QUIZÁS CON LOS AÑOS (Lázaro Prieto) Bolero
13. ME DIJO QUE SÍ Y LE DIJE QUE NO (A. Rodríguez) Son montuno
14. FALSO DESPRECIO (Antonio Alonso) Bolero
15. CAMINANTE Y LABORÍ (A. Rodríguez) Son montuno
16. JAMÁS TE PERDONARÉ (Enrique Pérez Poey) Bolero
17. TU FAZ MORENA (Juan Limonta) Bolero
18. ZUMBA (A. Rodríguez) Negón
19. MURUMBA (Félix Chappotín) Rezo Negro
20. NEGRITA (Marcelino Guerra) Guajira Son
21. AMORES DE VERANO (A. Rodríguez) Guaguancó
22. TE CONTARÉ (A. Rodríguez) Bolero 55
23. AMOR EN CENIZAS (A. Rodríguez) Bolero
24. MIRA...CUIDADITO (A. Rodríguez) Son montuno
25. A GRACIELA (A. Rodríguez) Bolero
26. MIRA QUE SOY CHAMBELON (A. Rodríguez) Son

CD-6: 1951-1956

1. POBRE MI CUBA (A. Rodríguez) Lamento afro guajiro
2. GUARAGÜÍ (A. Rodríguez) Son montuno
3. YA SE FUÉ (Marcelino Guerra) Bolero
4. AMOR A MI PATRIA (A. Rodríguez) Lamento afro
5. BURUNDANGA (Félix Chappotín) Montuno afro
6. INJUSTA DUDA (Enrique González) Bolero canción
7. MI CONUCO (A. Rodríguez) Guajira son
8. POGOLOTTI (Eloy Oliva) Guaguancó
9. MAMBO ABACUA (A. Rodríguez) Mambo
10. MI PRIMER CARIÑO (A. Rodríguez) Cha-cha-chá
11. ACERCA EL OIDO (A. Rodríguez) Bolero
12. MAMBO EN LA CUEVA (Tata Gutiérrez) Mambo
13. ME ESTOY COMIENDO UN CABLE (A. Rodríguez) Guaracha
14. CUBA CHA-CHA-CHÁ (A. Rodríguez) Cha-cha-chá
15. SOBRE EL ARCO IRIS (E.Y. Harburg) Cha-cha-chá
16. CONFORMATE (A. Rodríguez) Guaguancó
17. LO SABÍA (A. Rodríguez) Bolero
18. QUE NEGRA P’ACELERA’ (A. Rodríguez) rumba
19. TITI, TU KUNDUNGO QUIERE PARA (A. Rodríguez) Cha-cha-chá
20. AYACA DE MAIZ (Silvano Schueg “Chori”) Son pregón
21. GRACIELA, TÚ LO SABES (A. Rodríguez) Cha-cha-chá
22. TRISTE LUCHA (A. Rodríguez) Bolero
23. DAME TU YOYO MA BELÉN (A. Rodríguez) Son montuno
24. CONTIGO NO SOY FELIZ (Jacinto Scull) Bolero
25. CASERA MIRE QUE CAÑA (A. Rodríguez) Son pregón
26. ADIOS RONCONA (A. Rodríguez) Columbia matancera
27. CON FLORES DEL MATADERO (A. Rodríguez) Guaguancó

**Note: The overall "sound quality of the box set" is not great, It is obvious that the production spent more money on the graphic design, box, photos, liner notes etc. (which is excellent), and did not "remaster" the audio as well as they could have.
However, someone gave me the entire box set that they re-did themself .. using "Pro Tools" software....on each of the 153 songs from the box set. The audio difference is absolutely amazing, compared to the "original sound quality" of the box set.

Yo no como corazón de chivo
Guaracha-son 1944

(Miguelito Cuní vocal, Arsenio Tres solo)
 

Yeyey
pregón 1944
(Miguelito Cuní vocal, Ruben Gonzalez piano solo)

Timbilla de Cajón
Rumba Guaguancó 1945 
(Miguelito Cuní: vocal, Papa Kila: bongoes)


No Toque El Guao
Son montuno 1947

Arsenio: tres solo


Dame Tu Yoyo Ma' Belen
Son montuno 1951-'56
"Floresita": trumpet, Arsenio: tres solo

Los Reyes 73 - 1973 - 1975 - 3 videos - Cuba

 

"Baila Mi Son" LP

1. Necesito De Alguien Como Tu
2. Tal Vez Te Quedaras
3. Grandes Amigos
4. Si , Llego La Primavera
5. Adeoey
6. Piensa Que No Has Cambiado
7. Finalizo Un Amor
8. Un Lamento Hecho Cancion
9. Si Llegara Alli
10. Baila Que Baila Mi Son
11. Sin Libertad No Hay Arreglo
12. El Baile De Los Elefantes
13. Me Canse De Hablar

This is the "original" version of 'Baila Que Baila Mi Son'
Later shortened to 'Baila Que Baila" and "done" by N.Y.C. band Tipica 73.

9. Baila Que Baila Mi Son

'Los Reyes 73'

This also has the original version of "Me Eres Igual" later redone by N.Y.C. band Tipica '73, on their version they changed the name of the song to "Llevatela".

6. Me Eres Igual
(Llevatela)

8. Picolino Caminante

10. Santiago Tiene Una Onda Nueva

"LLegare" 1981
Los Reyes 73

Rolando "Peligro" Valdes: vocal

Los Reyes 73

(30 years ago)

"Esperanza" 1981
Los Reyes 73

"Joven Joven" 1983
Los Reyes 73

Orlando "Puntilla " Rios / Cuba N.Y.C. 1981

Orlando 'Puntilla' Rios, his first LP recorded 1981 in N.Y.C. a year after arriving from Cuba.
With Cuban compatriots Daniel Ponce, Ignacio Berroa who had also arrived.

1. Chants for Babalú ayé

2. Ichará Ichá
3. Yesá for the Orishas
4. Yemayá
5. Chants for Agayú
6. Hondos Dolores
7. Tu Ley
8. Rumba for Elegguá

Original vinyl now out of print.
Never reissued.

6. Hondos Dolores


7. Tu Ley
 

8. Rumba for Elegguá

Orlann Divo / The "essencial collection" - Brasil

"Sambaflex"
CD 2006

With great 2006 versions of his classic
"Samba Toff" & "Palladium"

"Orlann divo" com João Donato"
Vinyl LP-1977
Very funky, with great versions of

"Onde Anda meu Amor" & a killer version of "Palladium"

"Orlann Divo"
Vinyl LP-1963

"A Chave do Sucesso"
Vinyl LP-1962

"Orlann divo"
Debut vinyl EP-1961
(with Orlann's "Samba Toff")

'Terceto Yoyo photo / Cuba 1920's

'Terceto Yoyo'
The Cuban trio with a 14 key Marímbula.
There is only one recorded song
that I have ever heard from them.
'El Cangrejito'
El Terceto Yoyo

"Marímbula"
Cover photo from Luis Conte's CD:

The actual 9 key Marímbula used for the above CD cover was made in Jamaica W.I.
My father bought it in N.Y.C. and gave it to me in 1978.
My dad took off the original rusted piece of metal that held the keys down and replaced it with a "brushed" aluminum strip of metal.
I sold it to my long time friend Luis Conte in 1986.
(L.A. based percussionist originally from Santiago De Cuba)

You can buy his CD "Marimbula" directly from the link to his web site below.

http://www.luisconte.com/recordings/recordings.html

A Cuban Marímbula used for playing Changüi,
with 7 keys, a "bass" key in the middle.
Photo: Daniel Chatelain

An older Cuban 8 key Marímbula

Grupo Yoyi 1977 - Cuba

The original Cuban "spaced out" LP cover.

'Grupo Yoyi'
The original vinyl Egrem LP - 1977

The Japanese CD import bootleg of the LP.

'Grupo Yoyi' with a rather weird Cuban "electro, funky, jazzy, add in some odd vocals sound" and you have an LP that people fight to outbid each other for, when it turns up on Ebay once or twice a year.

Excellent Trombone.
Uncredited musicians.
Ripped @ 320 from original vinyl.

3. "Mi Pequeño Gran Paolo"

4. "Paco La Calle"

5. "Tu No Me Puedes conquistar"


LP sold on Ebay 10/2011 for $292.99

Papete 3 LP's '74-'78-'80-'89-'99 - Brasil

"Papete e Luis Lopes Era Uma Vez"
 CD

 "Retrato Do Maranao II"
CD

 "Papete"
CD - 1999

"Papete Rosa Amarela"
LP - 1993

 "Papete Bela Mocidade"
LP - 1991

"Rompendo Fogo"
LP - 1989

"Papete Planador"
Vinyl - 1981

"Água de Côco"
Vinyl LP - 1980
Has been reissued on compilation LP in '94

1. O Bonde
2. Promesa De Pescador
3. Água De Côco
4. Se Num Samba
5. Cavalacanga
6. Procissão
7. Domingo No Parque
8. Ponteio

"Bandeira de aço"
LP - 1978
Never reissued.

1. Boi De Lua
2. De Cajari Prá Capital
3. Flor Do Mal
4. Boi De Catirina
5. Engenho De Flores
6. Dente De Ouro
7. Eulália
8. Catirina
9. Bandeira De Aço

"Berimbau e Percussão"
Original vinyl LP - 1974
Has been reissued on CD & LP

1. A Ova
2. Ponto Pro Caboclo Sete Flechas
3. Igarapé
4. Bumba Meu Boi
5. Cachimbo
6. É Assim Que Eu Sou
7. BerimbaU
8. Maracá

'Papete' (Jose de Ribamar) was born in 1947, in the city of Bacabal, in the state of Maranhau, Brasil.
The music of Papete was originally released on the independent Discos Marcus Pereira label.
In the 1970's this label released a series of records that focused on the folkloric traditions of Brasil. Especially from the nordeste (northeast).
His 70's LP's had a profound influence on many Brasilian musicians and non musicians.

His 1974, 1978 and 1980 LP's were his best, with anything after that unfortunately becoming too pop-ish.
My favorite is his first 1974 LP: "Berimbau e Percussão".

These last three LP's are now rare and hard to find.
His first 1974 LP has been reissued on CD, but not with the original cover.

"Berimbau e Percussão"CD reissue date unkown
"Berimbau e Percussão"
3 vinyl LP set of reissued songs, 1994
Includes the original 8 songs from his '74 LP
with 8 additional songs from his 1989 LP.

Elio Revé Y Su Orq. Revé / Cuba 1968-'69

1. Loco Por Ti
2. Imposible Desandar
3. Chicas De Sundaria
4. Tremendo Vacilón
5. La Última Canción
6. La Pelota De Candela
7. El Martes
8. Qué Bolá Qué Bolón
9. Samá
10. Dominga
11. Fifi Teté y Popo
12. Tú Ya No Existes

Orq. Revé
Vinyl Egrem LP

Two early ones by Elio Revé' y Su 'Orquesta Revé 1968-'69.
This is the band that Juan Formell played bass in before he left to form Los Van Van.
Several cuts on both of these clearly have the distinct "Formell sound", later to become the early Van Van sound.