Search - Orquesta Sublime :: Sublime Havana

Perfect Preservation of the Traditional Cuban Sound

david penalosa | USA | 12/25/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"As Ry Cooder did with the Buena Vista Social Club, German-born saxophonist Klaus Roehm both played with Orquesta Sublime and helped them release albums outside of Cuba. Orquesta Sublime, which was founded in 1956, was still playing in Habana Vieja, Havana's old town district, but it took the involvement of a foreign musician to get Sublime Havana recorded and released. The world is definitely a better place for the album' s release, because even though Sublime Havana doesn't tread new musical territory, it does testify to the great variety and unassuming musicianship of traditional Cuban charanga music. The strength of the album lies in the classics which the band covers, from the traditional trova song "El Fiel Enamorado" to "El Que Más Goza" by Israel "Cachao" López. The album ends by paying even more respects to its past by covering "Mi Yambú", an Afro-Cuban rumba written by the legendary Ignacio Piñeiro, whose name graces one of Havana's most important musical foundations. On most of the covers, as well as the group's originals, it's also pleasantly surprising that Roehm's saxophone playing, particularly on tenor, blends more seamlessly into its musical surroundings than Cooder's slide guitar ever did. This is important, as Sublime Havana's greatest ambition and principle is success is its perfect preservation of the celebrated traditional Cuban sound. -Nathan Thornburgh, All Music Guide"

Stands Out from the Crowd

Martin Curti, New World Buzz | USA | 12/20/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Stands Out from the Crowd - Dave Hucker. Beat Magazine 12/00An Interesting release comes from Orquesta Sublime and their Sublime Havana. It's a gentle but swinging foray into their old-style charanga sound. Originally formed in 1956 and still led by Melquiades Fundora, here they are joined by sax player Klaus Roehm who added some very tasteful playing to their exquisite willowy flute and charanga sound. Full marks on Roxana Peralta who gives this one some soulful vocals. Definitely give this one your attention-its stands out from the crowd.Guardians of the Old Ways - Rudy Mangual, Latin Beat Magazine 01/01Originally founded in 1956 by flutist Melquiades Fundora, Orquesta Sublime is one of the top musical institutions from the 1950's, the golden age of Cuban music. Sublime represents the typical charanga orchestra from Cuba characterized by a string section of violins, singers and the flute as the instrumental solo voice. It is a true blend of the European influence and African colors which came together to form the uniqueness of the Caribbean sound and culture. Today, under the musical direction of violinist Gerardo Chapelli, La Sublime continues to make great music hosting a younger generation of musicians in its ranks, while maintaining its legendary repertoire of danzones, chachachás, boleros, sones and pachangas. Guest artists on this production include saxophonist Klaus Roehm (who also produced the recording), Ana Maria Chomat (vocal solo on the track Sabroso como el pachanga. Potpourri de sones, and Importancia. Like Orquesta Aragon, La Sublime is a piece of Cuba's musical history, a band that endures time and continues to be the the guardians of the old ways."