Though it's a sure bet that they wouldn't have enjoyed such wide distribution prior to the success of the Buena Vista Social Club, Santiago de Cuba's Club Musical Oriente Cubano isn't simply a crossover act. Comprising a band of musicians who'd been playing for decades, the group included many respected musicians -- Lázaro Rosabal, Victor... [+] Read More

Yes No

Orquesta Aragon are a popular charanga band hailing from Cuba. Their distinctive sound is based on traditional son with its African rhythm section and Spanish melodies, over which they added three violins. Orquesta Aragon were not only popular as interpreters of son, but are also credited with inspiring New York mambo. They can be heard... [+] Read More

Yes No

Orquesta Sublime is another in a long line of fine Cuban bands that benefited from the involvement of a foreign musician who brought them new exposure in America; the most famous example of this, of course, is the "discovery" of the musicians of the Buena Vista Social Club by American slide guitarist Ry Cooder. In Orquesta Sublime's case, the... [+] Read More

Yes No

Ritmo Oriental are a traditional cuban charanga group who play the lively dance music known as son: a mixture of African percussion and Spanish melodies. They have been together for more than thirty years and the scope of their achievement can be heard on the two volume Oriental Historia de la Ritmo and on La Ritmo Oriental te esta llamando. ~... [+] Read More

Yes No