Search - Ismael Rivera :: Sonero #1

Sonero #1

06/17/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Esta produccion incluye los grandes exitos del Sonero Mayor Ismael Rivera con el combo de Rafael Cortijo: "El Negro Bembon", "Oriza", "Severa", "Quitate de la Via Perico", "Maquinolandera", "Elena Toma Bombon", y "Perfume de Rosas". Si huviera incluido "El Negrito de Alabama", "Arrecotin Arrecotan" y "Bamba Cure" hubiera que darle 7 estrellas."

Sabroso, Mama!!

Gregory M. Wasson | Pinole, CA USA | 01/21/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"After collecting afro-cuban and "salsa" music for the last 20 years, I was surprised that I had not yet sampled the music of Ismael Rivera. Perhaps it was his relatively thin discography under his own name, and long association as the sonero in the Puerto Rican-based band of Rafeal Cortijo which after their first hit, "El Bombon de Elena" in the '50s, with Rivera as the singer, took the Caribbean by storm. Or perhaps it was the unfortunate timing that landed Rivera in a Kentucky prison for five years just as he was making a huge name for himself in the U.S.



Whatever the cause, listening to "Sonero Numero 1" for the first time was a pure delight. The band is razor sharp, with a lean sound that immediately sets it apart from most "Newyorican" or salsa bands based in New York, as well as the great late fifties afro-Cuban bands.



Above the tight ensemble sound is Rivera's voice, splendid and floating over the band. His deep throaty sound, improvising almost as if he were another congero or timbalero is marvelous, and reminds me of the great Cuban singers like Carlos Embale.



But all you really need to know is that every selection in this "best of" survey swings as hard as any afro-Carribean band ever has, and at the same time has a sound all its own. Don't miss it.

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