This CD presents modern Cuban/Cubanized tracks from Angola, Congo, Senegal, Cape Verde, Peru and Cuba. There are those that deal with the blues and depression with therapists and drugs, and then there are those who put on a Cuban track. There is something sensual and exciting about the riffing and repetition that just drives it all away. The fact that you don’t understand the languages of the above mentioned countries is essentially unimportant. The key is the rhythm, which is a universal language. All music ranging from blues to rock & roll has, in one way or another, been influenced by Afro-Cuban music.

The CD starts thee lineup with a Portuguese-African band called Tam-Tam 2000 with a song titled "ME VUELVO GUAJJRO." This is a typical "going back to your roots" Cuban dance that tells of the beauty of the countryside, women and pleasure of dance. Ricardo Lanvo & Makina Loca follow with "MAMBO YOYO." He was featured, including an evaluation of this particular song, in last month’s Sound Waves. A band from Senegal named Africando plays "YAY BOY". Africando features legendary Senegalese vocalist Pap Seck of the legendary Star Band of Dakar and Medoune Diallo of the equally legendary Orquestre Baobab, along with NY Cuban legends including Eddie Zervigon of the Orquestra Broadway on flute and the late Chombo Silva on tenor sax. Orquestra Baobab de Dakar delivers "El Son De Llama." The song tells an age old story: "You’re sitting in a bar in Santiago listening to music when the vocalist offers to buy you a drink while he tells you his story of how his beautiful lady (guajira) betrayed him, drove him to drink, drugs, jail and worse. Conclusion? The only woman you can trust is your mother." The impeccable Saw Mangwana delights us with "Galo Negro." He was featured in June’s Sound Waves with "Galo Negro" as the namesake of his CD.

Papi Oviedo continues this legendary line-up with "VIVO EN EL MONTE." This song tells of the beauty of the mountains of Oriente province in the east of Cuba and the equal beauty of guajirita, his country girl. This compendium of music also brings us the talents of the South American artists Julian Avalos and Afro-Andes. To the delight of many New Yorkers and tourists, this five-piece band can be heard in New York City subway stations, in cafes and on street corners around town. This version of "Mujer Magica" (Magic Woman) was specially recorded for this CD.

Moving back to Cuba, we find Cuaneto Oriente with yet another example of the son of Oriente, "MUEVE LA CINTURA MULATA" is a song where the dominant instruments are the tres, the six sting guitar, maracas, claves and bongos. The Congo’s first super-group of soukas, Etoiles, continues on this track with "ADAMA COLY." This is a classical Cuban tumhao on the piano letting us know it is time to dance to the "rumba de grupo 4 Etoiles y arriba." The Angolan group Ray Mingas brings "KOLONIAL" which is a song with a strong socio-political message. Cuba closes this CD with a song from the seven piece band Vieja Trove Santiaguera, "ME DIERON LA CLAVE" a guaracha from Santiago Cuba written by the legendary Marcelino Guerra and "AIDEU" by Conjunto Cespedes, a traditional Santeria prayer for the Orisha Ochun goddess of the river.

Putumayo World Music is at the vanguard of bringing international artists from all around the world to the masses. This CD certainly epitomizes that vision. I find myself playing along as I listen to these songs. If you want to listen to world class music, check what this international conglomerate of talented musicians have to offer for your listening pleasure.