Compay Segundo: Cien Anos de Son (East West)
Those lucky enough to have seen Wim Wender's affectionate portrait of the Buena Vista Social Club, currently showing at the Irish Film Centre in Dublin, will recall the bright-eyed contributions of Compay Segundo, a ninetysomething rascal in a Panama hat with a shark-like smile. Segundo is the voice of Cuba's past, his music a blend of son, bolero, conga, and any number of minor Cuban musical movements. Dated it may be, but there is a delightful sepia-toned mood to the music, particularly the telling acoustic guitar playing of the man himself. Although Compay is getting on, his influence is everywhere on this greatest hits collection, even if he benefits from a multitude of helping hands and voices.
- Joe Breen
Juan De Marcos's Afro-Cuban All Stars: Distinto, diferente (World Circuit)
In the same Wenders movie as above, there is this young, bearded, organising figure among the galloping greys rediscovered by Ry Cooder. This is Juan De Marcos, and the Afro-Cuban All Stars are his band - and his way of saying that Cuban music is not simply an engaging museum piece, but something bursting with life and invention. The influence of venerable old masters like Ruben Gonzalez is clear, but the punched brass and bubbling Latin rhythms point to a more contemporary sound, albeit one that endearingly still seems years off the cutting edge. But that is the whole point of Cuban music: its reference points are not whether it is cool or not, but whether it is any good. And this is.
- Joe Breen