Search - Various Artists :: Cuban Danzoneras

Hopefully, in the headlong musical rush to all things Cuban, some music listeners may venture into some of the forgotten byways of its rich heritage. Cuban Danzoneras (1932-1946) with 20 early recordings from eight orchestras harkens back to a quieter, more simple time during a resurgence of one of Cuba's stylistic roots, the Danzon. In competition with septetos and tipicos playing the newer "son," these danzoneras incorporated boleros, rhumbas, beguines, and more vocals into their repertoires and were very popular. Compared to today these bands featuring violins, flutes, and reeds have a genteel chamber music quality, offset by parallel echoes from Jelly Roll Morton's New Orleans and the swing of ragtime. The essence of bygone Cuba courses through this historically interesting (e.g., legendary Cachao playing a youthful contrabass with Las Maravillas de Arcano) and evocative remembrance of a cosmopolitan and sophisticated Havana, where all but three of these tracks were recorded. --Derek Rath