VA - The Rough Guide to Cuban Street Party (2008) [Repost]

Terrific Cuban compilation featuring an unlikely spread of modern timba, old school salsa, son and more — a real party mix that, surprisingly, flows just great. Features Yumuri, Maraca, Bamboleo, Roberto Torres, La Lupe, Chico Alvarez, Teresa Garcia Caturla, Linda Leida and others. This one, folks, has been in the CD player all day. Compiled by Pablo Yglesias who also wrote the superb liner notes. Perfect for the summer all-nighter. Turn the volume way up and dance!

It has to be said that a lot of Cuban music has a party feel to it, a willingness to celebrate, and an invitation to dance. So to select tracks that give the feel of a real Cuban street party means either going for anything, or selecting music with a special kick to it. While it's impossible to deny the talent assembled here – how can you say a word against Celia Cruz, Sierra Maestra, or Barbarito Torres, for instance? – the musical emphasis doesn't seem to be on the truly outstanding cuts, at least for the most part, but on anything Cuban with a feel-good factor. That works, no doubt about it, but when you do get something that really kicks, like the closer from Echo a Mano, it does make the rest pale a little in comparison. It's not a bad album, at all, and you'll still dance across the living room. It's just not quite as perfect as it might have been. ~ Chris Nickson

Havana, famed for its rum, tobacco and Afro-Latin rhythms, is home to some of the liveliest party-people on earth. The Rough Guide To Cuban Street Party celebrates this exhilarating spirit by reuniting the best loved USA based Cuban exiles such as Celia Cruz and Roberto Torres with the world famous Island talents of Celina Gonzalez, Sierra Maestra and Juan De Marcos Afro-Cuban Allstars. Artists Include (TBC): Celia Cruz Y Jonny Pacheco, Sierra Maestra, Yumuri Y Sus Hermanos, Teresa Caturla, Pio Leiva, Juan De Marcos Afro-Cuban Allstars, Celina González, La Lupe, Linda Leida, Edwin Bonilla Y Jesus El Nino Perez, Roberto Torres, Chico Alvarez, Roberto Brown/Echo A Mano, Maraca, Bamboleo, Adalberto Alvarez Y Su Son, Barbarito Torres

Tracklist:
1. Acaramelao - Yumuri Y Sus Hermanos
2. Castigala - Maraca
3. Mientes - Alvarez, Adalberto Y Su Son
4. Llego Tete - Caturla, Teresa G.
5. Yo No Me Parezco A Nadie - Bamboleo
6. Mi Son - Torres, Barbarito
7. Pa' Quien Un Pollito - Sierra Maestra
8. Tres Dias De Carnaval - Cruz, Celia & Johnny Pacheco
9. En Casa Di Mi Compay - Torres, Roberto
10. Sin Maiz - La Lupe
11. A Comer Chicharron - Leida, Linda
12. El Indio Canoabo - Alvarez, Chico & The Palomonte Afro-Cuban Big Band
13. Angoa - Bonilla, Edwin & Jesus 'El Nino' Perez
14. La Barbara - Echo A Mano & Roberto Linares Brown/Ernesto Brooks/Corey Paul