Original de Manzanillo – The Most - La Originalisima (1993)

La Original de Manzanillo is a salsa band from Cuba that favors charanga instrumentation and is especially fond of the son rhythm. Recorded in Havana and released in U.S. in 1993, The Most - La Originalisima reminds us how appealing a genuine charanga band can be. The CD gets off to an enjoyable start with "Ensalada Cubana," a medley of famous Cuban songs that includes tidbits of such favorites as "Guantanamera," "Son de la Loma," and "Almendra." Manzanillo is equally pleasing on Ernesto Lecuona's "Como Arrullo de Palma," but most of the time, the band embraces the compositions of its lead singer Cándido Fabré. True to form, Fabré is expressive and charismatic on such originals as "Viernes Prohibido" and "El Barrendero." The Most: La Originalisima isn't groundbreaking by 1993 standards, but it never fails to be swinging and infectious.

01. Ensalada cubana
02. Candido no seas travieso
03. Como arrullo de palma
04. Con la mano en el azadon
05. Tu me acostumbraste
06. El mal tiempo ya paso
07. Eso pa' ti es boberia Sarria
08. Viernes prohibido
09. Me lo llevaron todo
10. El barrendero
11. La cena del familion