Search - Arsenio Rodriguez :: Quindembo: Leyendas/Legends

"QUINDEMBO AFRO-MAGIC"- "La Magia de Arsenio Rodriguez

L. Dequesada | JAMAICA,, NY United States | 01/10/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Recorded in New York City in 1963, this is a different sounding Arsenio Rodriguez with an ensemble featuring a saxophone, possibly a first time for Arsenio, since all his previous ensembles or "conjuntos" consisted of three or four trumpets and no saxophones. In spite of the criticism of "traditionalists" and other Arsenio fans, this album surprisingly proved to be a best seller for its producers as well as for Arsenio. "Canto Abakua", "Bruca Manigua", "Los Teenagers Bailan Changui", "Quindembo Hot" and others in this repertoire sound "jazzy" in this fusion rhythm and unique compilation. It should be mentioned Arsenio had a long time ago recorded for that same label in Cuba, early in his musical career and hadn't done so again,for that same label, until this album recording session in "The Big Apple" of 1963, late in his career.

"QUINDEMBO AFRO MAGIC"-"La Magia de Arsenio Rodriguez" is one of Arsenio's greatest classics and its remembered that way by fans and connoseurs.

A must have for all Cuban music collectors and fans of Arsenio Rodriguez,a.k.a. "El Ciego Maravilloso"."

ARSENIO RODRIGUEZ- "QUINDEMBO"

L. Dequesada | JAMAICA,, NY United States | 01/13/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"In 1963 the great Arsenio Rodriguez recorded 12 of his then newly created hits for Columbia Records on a one time deal,probably because he was still under contract from another label. For this "jazzy" recording, Arsenio decided to deviate from his traditional "conjunto" sound consisting of 3-4 trumpets, maybe for contractual reasons. He engaged a sax player and proceeded to record these 12 new songs, with a mixture of afro-cuban,rock and jazz rhthms. Over the years this album has been both praised and criticized by many but in my opinion, at the long run, those who always praised it (like yours truly) as a classic,won over its detractors. With the coming of CD's this great album was re-issued on compact disk by Sony, who took over Columbia Records. Unfortunately this recording has been discontinued again,but in my opinion it will be re-issued in the future by Sony or someone else. The reason being that there just aren't enough "surviving" Arsenio Rodriguez recordings on the market,especially since RCA refuses or does not have available his recordings made during his 20 year tenure with this label both in Cuba and in New York."

Strange but true!

B. London | Chicago | 07/03/2004

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This is an album also known as Leyendas-or Legends. It is quite unusual and really should be called Afrique. The album is totally a homage to African percussion and although Arsenio Rodriguez was the Godfather of Afro Cuban music by his inclusion of African drumming with Mambo piano and trumpet blazzing blaring-this album has no piano nor trumpets! It does have saxophone galore-an instrument least used in Afro Cuban style music! Because the album was recorded in 1963 it does have modern hifi sound and avoids the often poor sound available on most of Rodriguez's popular work of the 40's-50-s. If you are a big fan of Arsenio's tres guitar music you'd buy this one for sound quality alone."