Benny Moré y Su Banda Gigante Grabaciones Completas 1953-1960 Los Años Dorados Del "Bárbaro Del Ritmo" - Reseña de audio grabación

Latin Beat Magazine, March, 2004 by Rudy Mangual

BENNY MORÉ Y SU BANDA GIGANTE Grabaciones Completas 1953-1960 Los Años Dorados Del "Bárbaro Del Ritmo" (Tumbao Cuban Classics)

This 4-CD special package, released by Tumbao Cuban Classics (Barcelona, Spain), pays tribute to the most famous vocal interpreter of Cuban music, singer/composer/bandleader Benny Moré. This collection compiles, for the first time, the complete recordings of this legendary Cuban icon from 1953 to 1960 when he performed with his popular and world-renowned big band, his "Banda Gigante" (Gigantic Band).

Volume I features recordings from 1953 to 1954, including the classics Devuélveme el Coco, Qué Pena me Da, Perdón, Obsesión. La Vida es un Sueño, and Solamente una Vez, plus 16 other traces. Volume 2 features recordings from 1954 to 1958, serving up hits such as Batanga No. 2, Buscando la Melodia, Apúrate Mi China, Mi Saoco, Alma Libre, and Santa Isabel de Las Lajas, plus 16 other tracks.

Volume 3 features recordings from 1957, featuring Vano Capricho, Manigua, El Conde Negro, Perdí la Fe, Se te Cayó el Tabaco, Qué Bueno Baila Usted, Tratame Como Soy, and Francisco Guayabal, plus 16 other tracks.

Volume 4 includes recordings from 1957 to 1960, offering selections such as Mi Amor Fugaz, Conocí la Paz, Soy Campesino, Me Gusta Más el Son, Camarera del Amor and Maracaibo Oriental, plus 17 other tracks. Completing the package is an excellent booklet of 124 pages, which includes a biography on Benny Moré, classic photographs depicting his career, a discography, and the lyrics to all the songs in this special collection. The overall sound restoration and the complete box packaging of this production are exceptional. This is a must-have set for any type of Latin music collection.