Croatian Salsa, Cuban Ska, and Oregonian Mambo
 

Croatian Salsa, Cuban Ska, and Oregonian Mambo!? These are Three of the Unlikely Gems Listeners Will Find on the New Afro-Latin Party CD

Op-ed

BRAVO Cubismo. You made it and you have our support.

Nenad Bach

CD Release Date: April 2005

Putumayo’s Afro-Latin Party Ricochets from Cuba to Africa…and Beyond

New York, NY--(HISPANIC PR WIRE)--April 7, 2005--Central to the Afro-Latin phenomenon is Africando, who provide three songs on Afro-Latin Party, each with a different African lead singer. In the 1960s and 1970s, the biggest names in African music were performing Latin music, thanks to vinyl that came over from abroad.

It is not surprising to find Nuyorican JosĂŠ Mangual Jr. on the collection. His song, “Ritmo con AchĂŠ,” celebrates the African roots in Latino culture. Nor is it a shock to hear Chico Ă?lvarez on the set. He sings “CĂłgele el Gusto,” a song made popular by Celia Cruz in the early 1960s. It was also one of the earliest tracks to use the word salsa to describe Afro-Cuban dance music.

Things get interesting when Ska Cubano’s “Babalu” rings through the sound system. With old school Cuban players and a young, stylish ska singer from South London, this band is sure to make waves as Americans hear more from them in the future.

Cubismo—whose presence on this album confirms the global reach of Afro-Latin music—is not only Croatia’s best salsa band, they pride themselves on being able to compete with the hottest groups out of New York or Havana.

Portland, Oregon’s Pepe and the Bottle Blondes deck themselves out with an updated 1950s kitsch mambo delivery.“CuĂŠntame Que Te PasĂł”. Also Congo-born Ricardo Lemvo, who is equally at home singing in English, French, Spanish, Portuguese, Lingala, and Kikongo. The CD is rounded out with a salsified Martinique classic performed by Martinique-born, Paris-based zouk Ronald Rubinel.

Even with all the geographic and era crisscrossing on the album, at its core Afro-Latin Party is still a dance record beckoning party-goers to traverse the planet while they navigate the dance-floor.

In the past 11 years, Putumayo World Music has become known primarily for its upbeat and melodic compilations of great international music characterized by the company's motto: "guaranteed to make you feel good!" Putumayo is available in over 3,000 retail locations in the U.S. and over 60 countries worldwide.

For more information visit http://www.putumayo.com 

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