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Album Details

• Artist: Various Artists
• Album: Cubalive!
• Label: Rounder
• Year of Release: 2003
• Reviewed by: dscanland on 2003-03-31

Just so the consumer has no doubt, Rounder has noted right under the Cubalive title that this album was “recorded live in Cuba�. Now that we have that straight, let’s look at the “live� music contained on this recording. Us Canadians are luckier than those of you that are American. We get to go on vacation to the beautiful island of Cuba. In fact, I was just down there this past winter for some fun in the sun and was awestruck at the amazing music that is everywhere. Live music creeps out of every restaurant and coffee shop. It’s played in clubs and on the streets. It seems like every Cuban learns music and their very intricate rhythm patterns while they are in their schools. There aren’t any well known Cuban artists included on Cubalive but that doesn’t mean that this music is second rate. Like I stated, every Cuban is a qualified musician. They would put our public school music programs to shame, I’m sure. Gene Roscow produced this compilation and the album takes music from all over the place: dance halls, religious celebrations, street jams, homes, country dances, and carnival streets. This music was all taken live and no studio was used for recording. It’s a nice compilation exposing many people (Americans) to music that they wouldn’t be able to experience first hand.

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