Cuba I Am Time (4 CD Box Set)

Cleverly packaged in a faux cigar box, this four-CD compilation of Cuban music is designed with the curious fan in mind. Each disc is dedicated to a genre: Cuban Invocations (Afro-Cuban religious music), Cantar en Cuba (songcraft), Bailar con Cuba (dance music), and Cubano Jazz (jazz). Rather than attempting a full historical account, the selection of both classic and modern performers suggests the evolution of the music in broad, bold strokes. Cantar en Cuba features singer Maria Teresa Vera, a key historical figure, but also up-to-the-minute salsero Issac Delgado. In Cubano Jazz, the late bandleader Mario Bauza, crucial in the birth of Latin jazz in the early '40s, is represented alongside contemporary pianist Gonzalo Rubalcaba. The accompanying 112-page booklet includes essays, interviews, and a useful song-by-song discussion that sets the music in context. The result is an informative, rewarding overview of Cuban music--and a terrific instant dance-music collection. --Fernando Gonzalez

Tracks:

Disc 1
1. El Sinsonte
2. Obatala
3. La Voz Del Congo
4. Chacho
5. Yemaya
6. Papa Aggun
7. Santa Barbara (Que Viva Chango!)
8. Con Su Pin, Pin, Pin
9. Bata Rhythm
10. Osain
11. Chivo Que Rompe Tambo
12. Soy Todo
13. Assokere (Canto A Eleggua)

Disc 2
1. Arrolla Cubano
2. Mamita Cambia
3. Saoco
4. Yo Si Tumbo Cana
5. Guajira Guantanamera
6. Son De La Loma
7. Maria Cristina
8. El Verdulero
9. El Diablo Tun Tun
10. Ritmo Pilon
11. Y Manana Me Caso Contigo
12. Drume Negrita
13. Yayabo
14. Sabanas Blancas
15. Mariposa
16. Identidad
17. A Bayamo En Coche
18. Pa' Que Te Salves

Disc 3
1. Que Bueno Baila Usted
2. Rumba Caliente
3. Iliana Quiere Chocolate
4. Echale Salsita
5. Tres Lindas Cubanas
6. Pare Cochero
7. Sociedad Antonio Maceo
8. Mulatica Revoltosa
9. Adivinalo
10. Oye El Carbonero
11. Que Sorpresa
12. Recordando Al Sonero
13. La Bruja, Camara
14. La Bola
15. Se Te Fue La Mano

Disc 4
1. Mambo
2. Descarga Numero Dos
3. Juana Mil Ciento
4. Nueva Vision
5. Bemba 'e Cuchara / Spoon Lips
6. Tumbao De Coqueta
7. Sobre Un Canto A Eleggua
8. Parraga
9. El Noticiero
10. Woody 'N' You
11. El Montuno