CD: Son Yambu: La Maravilla

London is currently the place for those who love to dance to live Cuban music – the musicians and singers from the island who have made their home here are burning up the dance floors with some of the best ‘son’ outside Cuba. Apollo Sound, 2012

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London is currently the place for those who love to dance to live Cuban music – the musicians and singers from the island who have made their home here are burning up the dance floors with some of the best ‘son’ outside Cuba.

From the opening notes of this superbly authentic album by the newly formed combo Son Yambu, the listener is taken on a journey to the streets of Santiago de Cuba, birthplace of this great music which traditionally combines the tres guitar with a small ensemble of bongo, bass, percussion, trumpet and vocals- a sound familiar to all those who enjoyed the songs of Eliades Ochoa on the Buena Vista album.

Son Yambu are based in London but most of the band are from Santiago and the music reflects this with a feel and energy that would grace any hot Saturday night on the famous Calle Heredia. Featuring genuinely fresh takes on many famous tunes from the 40’s and 50’s, including three classics by the master of the era Arsenio Rodriguez, the choice of songs is a fine representation of their fantastic live set as well as a great party CD in its own right.

The playing and singing throughout is superb - featuring Alfonso de Jesus combining vocally with the wonderful Yuri Moreno who shows real star quality as an interpreter, with tasty percussion and bass from Alfonso Borges, Manuel Collazo  and Rey Crespo providing a solid backing for the inventive tres of both Alejandro Tellez and Sergio Verdanez.  A highlight is the excellent dual trumpet work featuring Sid Gauld alongside the quite brilliant Victor Hechaverria who is already sounding like potentially one of the all time greats.

London is very lucky to have musicians of this quality in its midst - this album has raised the stakes, and provides a hugely enjoyable showcase for an all-star band who must not be missed by anyone who loves great son. Maravilla indeed.

Dave Willetts (this review appeared in CubaSi Autumn 2012)