Ibrahim Ferrer-Chepin&His Oriental Orchestra -Mi Oriente- 1960

My first introduction to Ibrahim Ferrer was on the Buena Vista Social Club documentary/album, which I immediately fell in love with.  There is something about this album though that hits my true music enthusiast heart of hearts.  I don't know if it's the sound of the album due to the age in which it was recorded, the style of music that is being played or the combination of all of these things.  I mentioned Ibrahim Ferrer in an early post when I reviewed a different hispanic album, so I figured I'd do a review on the album I referenced. 

Mi Oriente is a 21 track album that is a perfect representation of early latin jazz and traditional Cuban music.  Within the album there are a few slower songs, but even these songs have a tenacity for greatness with the amount of emotion that is portrayed through the music.  But in regards to the more upbeat tracks on this album, they are highly addictive rhythmical songs that will get your foot tapping and musical blood pumping.  I am not a spanish speaker, nor do I understand spanish, but in my opinion music is the one truly universal language that is spoken to any listener/fan/musician.  I have listened to this album many many times over the years and I never get sick of listening to it.  The multiple instrument percussion section along with the lo-fi stylistically recorded horns help enhance the listeners mind's eye when it comes to understanding the expressions that are being played out for us all to hear.  Being recorded in 1960, this is a very early release by Ibrahim Ferrer, and even though I am a big fan of his later releases, when he was older and the vocal style shows his age, this release of a young Ibrahim shows where he started, and helps give a clear cut picture of the Cuban music scene. 

The Buena Vista Social Club documentary/album is a great place to get an overview of this style of Cuban music, but once you get past that, and want a real portrayal of it's origins, go get this album.  I'll be honest and inform you that is this in my digital library, so I haven't purchased this, but if I ever come across it, I will buy it for my music collection.

Official score- 4/5

Spanish Harlem Orchestra- Across 110th Street (2004)

Growing up in a mexican-american household and being exposed to latin music at an early age, I find myself going through phases where I want to hear some latin music that gets the ol' nostalgia going.   Browsing folders in my favorite peer-2-peer program, Soulseek, I came across Spanish Harlem Orchestra, and after looking them up, I figured "let's check out some modern Salsa".

Across 110th Street is a pretty good album, with lots of energy and swinging sounds that will pretty much fill any want you might have if you are craving Salsa.  (not the kind for your chips retard!)   The album flows really well, and every song is really well produced; and that's where I ran into a snag.  It's not that I don't like nicely produced music, but every so often, on this album, there were some production edits, to the vocals and mix, that seemed a little too clean.  To me, part of the attraction to World music, and especially latin music, is the feel of, for a better lack of words, Earthiness.  I like to have the music make me think of the musicians, in their own country, playing live or in a little club or something; I don't know, maybe I am a little overly critical, but that's all I got.  The vocals, featuring Ruben Blades, are really good, the music is really good, overall the album is really good;  but if you have ever heard any Ibrahim Ferrer, then you'll know what I mean when I talk about the over production.  (Granted Ibrahim Ferrer isn't really a Salsa vocalist, the general latin style is what I am referencing in this.)  With 13 tracks and a little over an hour of playtime, this album goes by pretty fast.

If you like Salsa music, you'll like this; or if you like latin music as a whole, you'll like this album.  Across 110th Street is a great jumping off point for latin/salsa music, but you can find better if you dig around a little bit.  Totally worth buying if you find it used or online for a free download.

Official score- 3.75/5