Search - Miguelito Valdes :: Cuban Originals

Forget that Miguelito Valdes was known as "Mr. Babalu," or that Desi Arnaz tamed Valdes's snarling version of "Babalu" for his own stateside hit. If Valdes isn't the most dramatic of all the classic Cuban vocalists, he certainly has few competitors. And his disc takes top honors for blatant entertainment in the 10-volume Cuban Originals series, even if the material often leans toward show biz fare after a Wayne Newton fashion. But that's because throughout a long career, including stints in Casino de la Playa and Machita, Valdes seldom shied away from any song that would spotlight his vocal talent. He veers from an Afro-Cuban ritual rumba to an Elvis Presley-style ballad within one song, "Echame a Mi la Culpa." Valdes dips into R&B-tinged rock primitivism in "Linda Mujer," flirts with the kind of exotic kitsch that made Martin Denny famous in the grandiose "El Platanal de Bartolo," but mostly plays the barrel-chested romantic in charismatic ditties like "Angelitos Negros." If at times it seems that Miguelito Valdes's ambition exceeded his reach, his voice is so acrobatic you can hardly blame the man from daring anything. --Bob Tarte