Buena Vista Social Club Essentials

Buena Vista Social Club Essentials

Recorded in Havana with the help of American blues guitarist Ry Cooder, Buena Vista Social Club's eponymous debut revives pre-revolutionary Cuban music's suave triangulation of Spain, Africa, and the Caribbean. The 1997 release also resurrected the careers of older musicians like the dashing guitarist Compay Segundo, who composed its sinuous son anthem "Chan Chan"; Eliades Ochoa, another fine guitarist, who croons the guajira country lament "El Carretero"; and Ibrahim Ferrer, whose sexy, improvised "Candela" choruses hit improvisatory heights.

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