Search - Nilo Menendez :: Nilo Menendez 1934-1938

A Treasure of Cuban Music

Lori Miller | Englewood, CO | 07/20/2004

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This CD of Cuban music from the 1930s features piano (well-played by Menendez) and strings, which give the music the sweetness of the era. Latin percussion, trumpets, accordion, guitar, bass, and various crooners complete the sound. (Some songs include a full orchestra.) It isn't as hot and sexy as modern Latin music, but it has an infectious energy. Even the slow, cool song "Siboney" makes me wish I knew how to rumba. In fact, many of the songs are rumbas, boleros, and congas. The band should have stuck to Latin music. "Bei Mir Bist du Schön" has some enjoyable passages, but is too complicated and serious for a playful song. Menendez should have stuck to playing piano. He sings amateurishly, but only for two songs. Even the CD notes concede that he isn't a good singer. The rest of the music, though, is a treat. Most of the songs are up-tempo and lively and the arrangements are generally straightforward. Menendez plays the piano elegantly; the music sounds polished.The CD has the fuzzy sound of an old record, but it isn't too distorted. Rather, it sounds like an old treasure, rediscovered."