Search - Maraca :: Soy Yo

Manos Pa' rriba

Hector Reyes-erazo | 09/05/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Orlando Valle "Maraca" Y Otra Vision's new CD "Soy Yo" follows closely on the heals of his critically acclaimed Tremenda Rumba! The master Cuban flautist packs a spectacular roster of musicians from Cuba and delivers another knockout punch of Cuban modern day timba/salsa, sin falta del tumbao. There is no doubt your nice wooden floor will be scuffed by the dancing that will likely erupt after only a few minutes into the CD. Caveat Emptor!



Drawing from an array of traditional and modern Cuban genres, Maraca skillfully recasts them into a powerfully intoxicating cocktail of Cuban son. The music has an inescapable undertow that pulls you in feet first under its omnipresent tumbao. He explores and expands Cuban themes and instrumentation, guiding listeners to witness firsthand that there is no set limit or pretext to Cuban music or musicianship. And what's more, Maraca insinuates no political or ideological baggage; simply a happy and natural dynamic discourse and embracing musical spirit.



The CD's opening salvo "Llévame Con Tu Babalao," is a plea to the supreme priest to protect and bless with good fortune the musicians. Filled with positivist lyrics and incendiary rhythms, it forcefully peals away any hesitation to wiggle your shoulders or sway your hips. The flamenco placed "Paloma Blanca" is a great example of Maraca's ability to explore musical idioms and contemporary global social discourse while imbuing it with ferocious kick and playful swing.



One can't go on and on about this new CD without pausing to admire the band's superb vocalists, Rolando Morejón and Wilfredo Campos. With mesmerizing skill Campos for example, a scarcely known sonero outside his native Cuba and who sings the lion share of lead vocals, delivers a cadence of high powered vocals in double time with piercing wit and snap. Campos makes you listen in rapture as he belts out song after song with a flood of energy and spirit. If you are keen on lead singers, here's a vocalist packed with all the ingredients of a sonero legend.



Not one to hold back his musicians individual talents, Maraca unleashes a torrent of uncontainable swing in "A Cualquiera Le Toca" and the effect is simply hand clapping clave rapture. Here you can feel the cohesive playing of the band and deftness of the featured soloists.



For you chá chá chá lovers, you're in for a treat with "Estrella De Amor." Turning to his mastery of Cuban jazz instrumentation, Maracas introduces the opening bars with his svelte flute and then generously makes way for dual singers before returning with a lilting serenade á tempo bolero/chá chá chá accompanied by piano.



Maraca's new recording guarantees dancers gyrating to the hot pulsating sounds of timba/salsa. The great collection of classics and originals is appropriately a moveable feast of Cuban contemporary son, the nuclei of Cuban music. There is nothing insipid or weary in the playing or selection of tunes. The ever important presence of el tumbao is assured to please the discerning listener as well as demanding dancer.



And finally, unlikely to brush off the growing appeal of reggaeton and the current sway it possess over a younger generation of dancers, Maraca punches out the title track "Soy Yo," a sure regaetton, guaranteed to move Daddy Yankee or El General and his swaggering posse of pan urban hip hoppers. Maraca gives you two doses of his reggaeton mix including a remix showcasing the quick vocals of rapper Ammiel Castellanos and sonero Wilfredo Campos.



Esta es salsa de la mejor para los bailadores con un ritmo provocativo. Aquí si es verdad que no se pierde nada."

Diferente

Marcos | California, USA | 04/28/2007

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Dos cosas que hacen diferente esta musica de la mayoria de los grupos cubanos: la flauta y el guiro.

La flauta de Maraca es tan rapida como una ametralladora, mientras manteniendo un buen control. El guiro, mientras utilizado en la musica cubana, en esta grabacion me parece que la da un poco de sabor dominicano.



A parte de eso tiene los metales me suenan como de salsa de Nueva York, mientras la percusion, liricas, y el piano suenan puro timba de Cuba. Una curiosidad en las liricas es el uso de tirar dichos famosos de clasicas de la salsa, son, y timba.



Esta combinacion de elementos le da un curioso sabor, definitivamente bueno para bailar."