London and NYC Club and Concert Listings | Album Review: Ska Cubano - Ay Caramba! (Casino Sounds)
Writer: John Armstrong
Ska Cubano's music brings instant grins to everyone, no doubt about it. The brains behind the operation are Peter Scott (production) and Natty Bo (instrumental niceness). That's not to ignore the 24-carat players' roster on this set, such as Cuban vocalist Beny Billy, my good friend Rey Crespo on bass, and an array of Cuban and British keyboard, brass and percussion talent: but the grin factor comes from the group's overall concept: Caribbean, Cuban and novelty tunes done over in a detail-perfect ska-style this may be, but the underlying feel is that unmistakably, uniquely British, cheeky-chappie cockney vibe, in the grand tradition of Joe Brown, Lonnie Donegan, Trevor Peacock, Chas & Dave, Madness, and general two-tone tomfoolery. In short, I love it!
Whilst the self-titled debut LP played it hard but relatively safe, with a great ska version of the Lucho Bermudez gaita/porro classic San Fernando being the highlight, the guys were loose enough even then to do Who's Afraid Of Virginia Woolf - just as, on the this new set, they blast away with an off-the-wall version of Istanbul: and from the first few bars, you just know you're in for the full ride. Cubano's Big Bamboo sent me hunting through my collection for the original Duke Of Iron version and playing the two, back to back, at a DJ gig at Notting Hill Arts Club - that's how inspirational the boys' musical selections are.
Ska Cubano's other claim to fame is resurrecting the long-neglected 'Afro' rhythm -no, not Fela Kuti, this is the moniker given to a particular style years back by the great Miguelito Valdes. The first album revived Valdes' biggest 50s 78rpm seller Babalu, whilst this set gives us Margarita Lecuona's Tabu, also popularised by Valdes way back. Add to this the Clancy Eccles standard Natty/Sammy No Dead, and an insane bonus track, the Colombian drinking song La Boquilla, and you have an essential party/carnival record, whatever your Caribbean musical predilections.
RELATED LINKS:
Ska Cubano - official website
Buy Ay Caramba! at Amazon UK (CD) / US(CD)
PUBLISHED: 18 August 2005
RELEASE DATE: 20 June 2005 (UK) / 14 June 2005 (US) . More Reviews
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