Ska Cubano takes classic Jamaican ska, blends it with Afro-Cuban son and salsa, throws in some retro swing and Colombian cumbia for spice, and creates a magic musical concoction that will get your feet moving and your hips... more » shaking. The UK world music magazine Songlines voted "Ay Caramba" one of the top 10 world music releases of the year, saying the record is, "A triumph. Remaining seated is not an option." Mojo magazine exclaimed the album, "Will have you on your feet before you've had time to consider the whys and wherefores." Ska Cubano?s "Ay Caramba!" is the first release from the new record label Cumbancha, which was founded by the long-time head of A&R and music research at the popular world music label Putumayo.« less
Ska Cubano takes classic Jamaican ska, blends it with Afro-Cuban son and salsa, throws in some retro swing and Colombian cumbia for spice, and creates a magic musical concoction that will get your feet moving and your hips shaking. The UK world music magazine Songlines voted "Ay Caramba" one of the top 10 world music releases of the year, saying the record is, "A triumph. Remaining seated is not an option." Mojo magazine exclaimed the album, "Will have you on your feet before you've had time to consider the whys and wherefores." Ska Cubano?s "Ay Caramba!" is the first release from the new record label Cumbancha, which was founded by the long-time head of A&R and music research at the popular world music label Putumayo.
"Ay Caramba! is the musical creation of a UK/Cuba collaboration called Ska Cubano, which blends the bouncy ska beat that once took Jamaica by storm in the 1960s with Cuban cultural music. The result is an album with "hand-clapping" songs, rousing rhythm, and a diverse mixture of lively styles. An exciting blend of Caribbean musical cultures, Ay Caramba! is not to be missed. Tracks include Soy Campesino (3:42); Tabu (3:32); Oye Company Juan (3:35); No Me Desesperes (3:35); Big Bamboo (2:59); Tungarara (3:50); Cachita (4:31); Istanbul Not Constantinople (2:34); Marianao (3:51); Chispa tren (3:22); Jezebel (3:20); Bobine (4:56); Cumbia en Do Menor (4:41); and the title piece, Ay Caramba! (3:02).
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"Ay Caramba " is Good!
Oswald Placeres | Netherlands | 09/25/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"While traveling from Marrakech to Agadir my wife had the Moroccan radio station on, we noticed that the song playing was in English with a Latin beat, after the song was over the DJ announced it as "SKA CUBANO", what impressed me was that the singer sounded like the late Cuban singer Beny More! Later that night while staying in the Agadir Beach Club we heard the song again. We approach the DJ and he informed us that it was a recording from an English man and a Cuban singer who called themselves the SKA CUBANO. I was amazed when I heard the remaining songs it was fascinating. We danced all night to the music, and all the people seem to like the sound. Cumbia, Jamaican Ska, Jazz, and Cuban music altogether sounded great. My favorites are Soy Campesino, Tabu, and Istanbul. All the songs are very good and the back up band is outrageously good. Buy it and experience the excellent combination of this CD. My Mediterranean girl insisted that I write a review. Check it out on the web-site and listen to the songs."
A musical style that should have been
Scott F. Miller | GA, USA | 07/24/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"The fact that the label this artist records on is associated with Putumayo is what initially drew me to it. One listen to the samples and I knew I had to add this to my collection.
If you aren't dancing after a few bars of the first track, best go see the doctor because either your ears don't work right or your rhythm bone is broke!"
A little licky from the big bamboo
Pieter Los | misserie, usa | 04/28/2008
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Just another must have. Some covers of great ska songs, some truely funny originals, all very dancable, bouncing off the walls, but sweet you know. Lots of horns, ska and very cubano and very nicely produced. One of the last tracks is much more of a throwback to african roots. That little licky bamboo song, I'd heard it before from Prince buster, but this one made me laugh again."