Label: LASEMCo
Released: 2006
Que es extraodinariamente bello y produce una gran emoción. Que es excepcional por su altura moral o estética. This is how a Spanish dictionary defines the adjective sublime and the orchestra, SonSublime, and its son, certainly live up to the high standards of its chosen name!
This author has had the good fortune to personally meet the Cuban born, singer, composer and orchestra leader of the New York based orchestra, SonSublime, Jesse Herrero, during a recent business trip to Chicago. We had dinner together and discussed mostly music related issues. In addition to being a highly intelligent businessman, Jesse is charming, witty, gracious and a gentleman by all measures of the word. After dinner, we went to the hottest the local salsa venues and my turn-table brother, resident DJ Luis "Rollin'" Rivera, played 2 tracks from SonSublime's latest CD, ¡Bailando con SonSublime!, and each time the dance floor rapidly became full!
Jesse has been quoted as saying that his "...objective is to keep the Cuban charanga tradition alive for dancers all over the world." So, perhaps it will be constructive to give a brief description of just what Cuban charanga is. " Charanga" is a genre of Cuban dance music that was extremely popular in the 1940's and consists of heavily son influenced material performed on European instruments; such as the violin and the flute. Indeed, SonSublime's line up contains two violinists ( Eddie Venegas and Mike Pérez) and a flutist ( Connie
Grossman
).
On ¡Bailando con SonSublime!, as is customary, SonSublime performs classic danzón, cha-cha-chá and son, with a flair that makes their sound appeal to both blossoming and inveterate Latin music aficionados alike. From the opening notes of the first track, Casita de Margot, a searing track for the dancer, you realize the significance, the power and the sweetness of the flute and violins, accompanied by masterfully delivered percussion work of Joe González and Manuel Rivera. This song boasts of a mellifluous flute solo by Connie Grossman and a tres solo by invited guest musician, Luis Rodríguez, that encourages dancers to break from their partners and to commence their more spontaneous 'shines.' It is here that the dancers are really experiencing... feeling the music. The vocals on this track are mostly delivered, in unison, by Jesse Herrero, Gilberto Velásquez and invited guest, Ronnie Baró. The perfect harmony crafted by these gentlemen is that which can only be accomplished by way of many, many, rehearsal sessions. Also in this song, Gilberto delivers a few verses alone; with a vocal range and timber that are in perfect harmony with the sweetness of the music that envelops his voice. Towards the end of the song and giving it song a 'hip' and modern feel, SonSublime takes a page out of the classic hip-hop play book as we hear someone yell, "Somebody scream!!!"
Other tracks on this 12-track CD that particularly appeal to me are: Mi charanga, Mueve la cintura and Mi chinita quiere más. In short, this is a CD that I whole-heartedly recommend, especially to those interested in traditional Cuban music.
¡Bailando con SonSublime! is the third CD by SonSublime, although Jesse Herrero had previously released other CDs under the slightly different group name, Sublime. SonSublime's first r
ecording was Irresistible, followed by their second recording, the classic Gran Reserva. By preserving the essence of this Cuban musical style, SonSublime is committed to educating music aficionados of all ages and cultures. They invite you to join them in this noble effort.
Tracks:
- Casita de Margot
- Macusá
- Mi charanga
- Mi pueblo
- Agua dulce, agua salá
- Mueve la cintura
- Ella quiere que la vean bailando
- Qué linda eres
- Matilde
- Yolanda
- Mi chinita quiere más
- Quien sabe, sabe
Musicians:
- Jesse Herrero: Leader, Director, Producer, Vocalist, Cuban Güiro and Clave
- Gilberto Velásquez: Vocalist
- Ronnie Baró: Invited Vocalist
- Alí Bello: Violinist and Viola
- David Rimelis: Violinist and Viola
- Sam Baardfeld: Violinist
- Jennifer Vincent: Cello
- Joe Gonz'alez: Congas, Quinto, Bata Drum and Shekere
- Manuel Rivera: Timbalero, Bongosero and Bata Drum
- Connie Grossman: Flautist
- Alfredito Valdés, Jr.: Invited Pianist
- Gilberto Suárez: Pianist
- Marino Solano: Ampeg Baby Bass
- Luis Rodríguez: Invited Tres Player
Revew by El Caobo
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