Search - Francisco Cespedes :: Con El Permiso De Bola

Cespedes and Rubalcaba interpreting Bola de Nieve

Tropical David | Puerto Rico | 05/01/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Bola de Nieve is the artist name of Ignacio Jacinto Villa (1931-1971). He was a pianist and singer, sort of a cuban Louis Armstrong. He would interpret latin ballads along with other international standards in his own style, mixing jazz and caribbean music in a very sentimental way. This recording brings together Cespedes on vocals and Rubalcaba on piano, to interpret the music of Bola. The quality of the recording is excellent and the performances of both artists are extraordinary. Together, they are able to capture and deliver Bola's feelings. I found particularly good the renderings of "Flor de la Canela" and "Drume Negrita", the latter in its modern version and in a "duet" mixing the vocals of Cespedes with Bola's old recordings. Rubalcaba's jazzy piano, which reminds of his collaboration with Charlie Haden in "Nocturne", rounds up an excellent album.

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