In Cachaito the Cuban wave sweeps on, this time in the form of a debut CD by Orlando Cachaito Lopez, the bassist who formed the mainstay of Buena Vista Social Club. This latest record to emanate from Havana's legendary Egrem studios is a new departure for producer Nick Gold, whose aim now is to create a groove-based project adding in elements foreign to Cuban son. The result is not easy-listening in the style of Ruben Gonzalez's recent CD--though Lopez figured prominently on that as well. This is more for connoisseurs: rhythm stripped bare, and put through a blender. Here we get input from the South African flugelhorn player Hugh Masekela and the French DJ Dee Nasty, as well as marvellous, more familiar stuff from percussionists Miguel 'Anga' Diaz, Amadito Valdes, and Carlito Gonzalez. Cachaito's own groove is rock-steady, over which flutes and saxes weave airy spells, and to which a Hammond organ adds its suggestive timbre. But one glorious track takes us straight back to the fountainhead, as, over a muted horn, Ibrahim Ferrer contributes his sly vibrato--both spooky and wicked at the same time. The backdrop to many of these tracks is provided by strings, which give the musical landscape a bracingly metallic sheen. --Michael Church
|
.gif
)
.gif)