Global Groove’s Sunday Special is all about Cuban Music today.
I had a special friend in Cuban music. As I have friends in every
type of music. If I want to find out something concerning Reggae or
Popmusic, I turn to my buddy Gerard. If it concerns Samba, I turn to
Zeca or Justin, for questions about Cuban music I always went to my
late friend Dirk. On an occasion, Dirk was in some kind of financial
trouble, he sold me his complete collection of Cuban music. He knew
that I would keep it all together, waiting for better times. I am so
sorry he left us.
Now I am just wishfully assuming that the here-after is somehow
connected to the World Wide Web. This is my chance to give him
back some of the music that he loved so much ! To you Dirk !

Beny Moré y su Orquesta – Y sus Amigos

This is one of Dirk’s albums,
Beny Moré with his sharp voice, a national hero in Cuba.
I quote the backcover;
“These recordings focus on different stages of Beny’s carreer.
From the early days of the mambos recorded with Perez Prado in
Mexico, to Mariano Merceron, Ernesto Duarte and eventually his own
big band in Cuba. Also included here are two of the classical duos
with Pedro Vargas and Beny’s own giant band recorded in the
mid 50’s in Cuba.”

tracks;

1 Fiesta de tambores
2 Salomon
3 Maria Cristina
4 Demasiado Santa
5 No me vayas a engañar
6 Tu veras Margot
7 Dulce desengaño
8 La vida es un sueño
9 Solamente una vez
10 Bombon de pollo

Sonora Matancera is the type of band that keeps existing no matter
what, if an older member leaves the group, a young one comes in.
It’s like they have always been there. Recording with lots of stars,
this ‘Box of Songs’ is one with 4 tracks by Nelson Pineda, 4 by
Carlos Argentino and 4 by Celia Cruz. A fine example of Cuban music.
My favourite track; ‘Apambichao’.

1 Carlos Argentino – Tu rica boca
2 Celia Cruz – Gozando
3 Nelson Pinedo – Sabrosito asi
4 Carlos Argentino – Apambichao
5 Celia Cruz – La merenguita
6 Nelson Pinedo – Mi chica y yo
7 Nelson Pinedo – El Gavilan
8 Carlos Argentino – Cha cha cha de los feos
9 Celia Cruz – No encuentro palabras
10 Nelson Pinedo – Recordando mi cuartito
11 Carlos Argentino – De ti enamorado
12 Celia Cruz – Contentosa

Ochestral LP, with several styles of latin, a very happy sounding
album. Original arrangements by Chico O’Farrill, strong voice.

1 El limpiabotas
2 Negra Leono
3 Ariñañara – nague
4 Zarabanda
5 Los componedores
6 Quimbamba
7 No, negrita, no
8 Tambó
9 Guaguancó Africano
10 Se acabo la fiesta

This LP was originally released on EGREM, Empresa de Grabaciones y
Ediciones Musicales La Habana. I love the voices on this fine piece
of Cuban music. And these photos, don’t you just wish you were there ?

tracks;

01 – La sitiera
02 – Changuí monte adentro
03 – Tiene sabor
04 – Yo ta’cansá
05 – Bruca maniguá
06 – Ea! Llegó el guajiro de cunaguá
07 – Ensalada sensación
08 – La paella
09 – Los carnavales de oriente
10 – La reina del guaguancó
11 – Guapo fantoma
12 – El brujo de guanabacoa