Cuba Classics 2: Dancing With the Enemy

These selections were released here in '91, compiled by Ned Sublette, who says: "This album is an impure, by no means definitive, collection of newly available recordings that almost no one in this country knows. The emphasis is on the '60's and '70's, but some were recorded after, and some were re-recordings of older tunes". An absolute favorite is Caridad Cuervo with the Conjunto Caney, singing a cha-cha, "Eres la Candela"...one of those tracks that gets the "repeat" function a lot. Celeste Mendoza's "Mi Rumba Echando Candela" is also terrific, as is "Eso no es Na" by María Teresa Vera, a legendary singer with a career that spanned nearly 30 years, ending in the early '60's.

You'll wonder what hit you with the Orquesta Revé's "Fifi, Teté y Popó"...it's kind of 50's American pop/rock 'n' roll...both the Orquesta Original de Manzanillo, and Pancho El Bravo ("Mis Compadres Puntean Son" is wonderful) are charangas, with that great Cuban flute playing.

1 Celeste Mendoza – Mi Rumba Echando Candela

2 María Teresa Vera – Eso No Es Na'

3 Orquesta Original De Manzanillo – Manzanillo

4 Orquesta Riverside–Yayabo

5 Chapottin Y Sus Estrellas* – La Guarapachanga

6 Los Van Van – Llegué Llegué / Guararey De Pastorita

7 Conjunto Rumbavana – No Me Llores

8 Orquesta Revé "Changüi '68"* – Fifi, Teté Y Popó

9 Celeste Mendozac – Fiesta Brava

10 Caridad Hierrezuelo y Conjunto Caney –Saoco

11 Caridad Hierrezuelo y Conjunto Caney – Baile Usted Mi Son

12 Los Zafiros – Rumba Como Quiera

13 Orquesta Pancho El Bravo –Mis Compadres Puntean Son

14 El Jilguero De Cienfuegos – Caminito De Zaza

15 Caridad Cuervo y Conjunto Caney – Eres La Candela

16 Celeste Mendoza y Los Papines – Papá Ogún