Caravana Cubana: Del Alma

Latin Beat Magazine, Nov, 2002 by Rudy Mangual

(Dreamer Music)

This sophomore outing by the L.A.-based, all-star tributo band Caravana Cubana once again features a luminary cast of guest musicians. Pianist Chucho Valdés, flutist Orlando Valle "Maraca" and vocalists Vannia Borges Hernández and Yordamis Megret Planes (from the group Bamboleo), make a return trip from Caravana Cubana's first outing. Other collaborators on this journey include singing sensation Bobby Carcassés, Los Papines, Pancho Quinto, Efrain Rios Morales, Rolo Martínez and jazz great Cedar Walton. A total of nine original compositions transport lovers of Afro-Cuban music to the world of son, changüí, guaracha, bolero, descarga guaguancó and abakuá. Flute virtuoso Maraca joins jazz pianist Cedar Walton on the opening track, Maraca De Cedro, with vocals by Perico Hernández and chorus by Candi Sosa and Lázaro Galarraga.

Bobby Carcassés leads the vocals on the selection Barroso (a hot guaracha son) with solos by Danilo Lozano on flute, Michito Sánchez on bongó and Efraín Ríos Morales on tres guitar. Alborada Isleña is a melancholy bolero-son featuring the vocals of Candi Sosa, Perico Hernández and the Bamboleo singers. Percussionist Long John Oliva records for the first time with his father, Pancho Quinto, on the selection Cajón Abakuá, with vocals by Rolo Martínez and Lázaro Galarraga. The closing track--Seis Por Chucho--brings together master pianist Chucho Valdés with master percussionist Francisco Aguabella, bassist Carlos Del Puerto, Jr. and vocalist Lázaro Galarraga on a hard-driven 6/8-con-batá. You just can't get any better than this production--a well-thought out and marvelously executed project.