Search - Orquesta Aragón :: En Route

Solid Cuban dance music!

Joe Sixpack -- Slipcue.com | ...in Middle America | 02/14/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Founded in 1939, Orquesta Aragon is one of Cuba's most venerated and longest-lived dance bands. The group hit its heyday in the 1950s as the ultimate tipica ensemble, combining muscular Afro-Cuban rhythms with delicate, European-tinged melodies. Aragon's distinctive violin-and-flute arrangements influenced the sound and growth of salsa music in the United States, helping shape the musical vocabulary of '70s bandleaders such as salseros Ruben Blades and Hector LaVoe. This new album shows Aragon still going strong with an influx of younger new members and a modern musical vocabulary. This is a lovely album, easy on the ears and tempting to the hips. Recommended!"

The Route from Past to Present

Charles Pineros | Torrance, Ca USA | 03/10/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This new CD by the legendary charanga group, Orquesta Aragon is extremely well crafted. The Aragon reaches deep into its vast repertoire to redo such songs as Guasabeando Rock & Roll and No Quiero Lios from the 1950's as well as some of their of their more recent rhythms such as the Cha-Onda, which was created by their late cellist Alejandro Tomas Valdes. There is something for everyone on this album. There are up tempo songs such as Ahora Si Sabrosea by their composer and violinist Dagoberto Gonzalez and Bailando Sucu Sucu by pianist Orlando Perez. For traditionalists, Danzones such as La Gioconda and Si Envidia have been recorded again without compromising the elegance of the original recordings. Si Envidia was written by the late director Rafael Lay Sr., whose son, Rafael Lay Jr. is the current director the Orquesta Aragon. In the mid 1950's, Rafael Lay Sr. took a risk by incorporating a new rhythm into the Aragon's repertoire, the Cha Cha Cha. Almost 50 years later, his son has taken a similar risk by incorporating a modern element into their repertoire, Rap or Hip Hop. This song will disappoint some, surprise others and introduce a whole new generation to this great Cuban orquestra. This CD will show that musical mastery can be transposed into any rhythm or style. The craftmanship of the Aragon has crossed time and I am sure will bridge generations to appreciate the unique style that they have been perfecting for more than 60 years. This album is must for both the young and old, for new friends as well old friends of this, the greatest of all Charanga Bands."

ORQUESTA ARAGON- "EN ROUTE"

L. Dequesada | JAMAICA,, NY United States | 12/18/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is Orquesta Aragon's latest album and like all previous ones, is surely to please not only Aragon's longtime loyal fans but also cuban music newcomer fans. New versions of old original Aragon hits, like "Guasabeando El Rock & Roll", "Caserita Villareña, "Si,Envidia", "Bailando El Sucu-Sucu", "Un Real de Hielo", "Di Que No Me Quieres Ya", "No Quiero Lio", "La Gioconda","Ahora Es Cuando Canto Yo", "Ahora Si Sabroseao","A Bailar Mi Cha-Onda", and a terrific new descarga version of Aragon's 1956 impossible to find hit, "A Gozar La Vida", all guarantee you to get you up from your seat and dance!
In all honesty Rafael Lay Jr. has carried on the torch well and shows that his superb skills not only as a violinist but as a director, clearly match those of his late father Rafael Lay Sr. a great cuban music golden era musician.
I highly recommend this album. Order it and it will definitely become a favorite in your collection."