01- Amor Verdadero
02- Alto Songo
03- Habana del Este
04- A Toda Cuba le Gusta
05- Fiesta de la Rumba
06- Los Sitio' Asere
07- Pio Mentiroso
08- Maria Caracoles
09- Clasiqueando con Ruben
10- Elube Chango

Afro-Cuban All Stars: 
Pio Leyva, Raul Planas, Felix Valoy, Jose Antonio "Maceo" Rodriguez,
 Manuel "Puntillita" Licea, Ibrahim Ferrer (vocals); 
Juan De Marcos Gonzalez (tres, background vocals); 
Javier Zalba (baritone sax, flute); 
Luis Alemany, Manuel "Guajiro" Mirabal, Daniel Ramos (trumpet); 
Carlos "El Afrokan" Alvarez, Demetrio Muniz (trombone); 
Ruben Gonzalez (piano); 
Orlando "Cachaito" Lopez (bass); 
Alberto Virigilio Valdes (maracas, background vocals); 
Julienne Oviedo (timbales); Miguel "Anga" (congas); 
Carlos Gonzalez (bongos); 
Carlos Puisseaux (guiro); 
Luis Barzaga (background vocals)
+
Ry Cooder (slide guitar); 
Barbarito Torres (laoud); 
Richard Egues (flute).

A lively, spontaneous record that manages to sound both relaxed and forceful at the same time, A Toda Cuba Le Gusta shows off the talents of many of Cuba's elder statesmen of Afro-Cuban jazz. Over gently pulsating conga grooves and low-register ostinatos, such luminaries as pianist Ruben Gonzalez and singer Manuel "Puntillita" Licea float dramatic melodies, as their solo contributions are answered by brass section chords as thick and sweet as cane syrup. Although it is Ruben Gonzalez' presence on this album that gets the most attention, his tendency towards relentless chromaticism becomes tiresome early on, especially when it is contrasted with the exquisite phrasing and tremulous beauty of singers such as Licea, Raul Planas, and Ibrahum Ferrer. As would be expected, the trumpets blare with traditional Cuban bravado, evoking gentle romance and fiery passion with equal ease. Even the resident gringo, Ry Cooder, gets in some choice licks on "Alto Songo." The relative lack of dynamic movement in most of these songs may lead to them blending together in the ear of the listener, but the inherent tunefulness of each track, not to mention the sheer drive that this band is capable of summoning, cancels that complaint out nicely. An important collaboration and a promising debut. --- Daniel Gioffre, Rovi

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1	Distinto, Diferente See All 2			
2	Tumbo Palo Cocuye			
3	Tributo Al Nino Rivera			
4	Roconciliacion			
5	Variaciones Sobre un Tema Desconcido			
6	Al vaiven de mi carreta			
7	Gandinga, Mondongo y Sandunga			
8	Huellas del Pasado			
9	Warariansa			
10	Homenaje a Martha Valdes

MUSICIANS
Yanko Pisaco, trumpet (1-8)
Daniel “El Gordo” Ramos, trumpet (1-8)
Alejandro Pichardo, trumpet (1, 7, 8)
Guajiro Mirabal, trumpet (2-4)
Yaure Muniz, trumpet (2-4, 6)
Julito Padron, trumpet (7)
Alberto “Molote” Martinez, trombone (1, 4-8)
Jesus “Aguaje” Ramos, trombone (1, 2, 4-8)
Javier Zalba, baritone sax (1, 4)
Carlos “Musiquita” Duran, baritone sax (8)
Braulio “Babin” Hernandez, tenor sax (10)
Orlando “Maracas” Valle, flute (3, 5)
Policarpo “Polo” Tamayo, flute (5)
Joaquin Oliveros, flute (6)
David Alfaro, piano (1-8, 10)
Guillermo “Rubalcava” Gonzalez, piano (2)
Ruben Gonzalez, piano (5)
Frank Emilio Flynn, piano (7)
Richardo Munoz, bass (1, 3, 4, 6, 8)
Orlando “Cachaito” Lopez, bass (2, 5, 7, 9, 10)
Amadito Valdez, timbales (1, 5, 7, 8, 10)
Victoriano “Filiberto” Sanchez, timbales (3, 4, 6)
Carlos Gonzalez, bongos (1-4, 6, 7, 8, 10)
Miguel “Anga” Diaz, congas (1-8)
Angel Terry, congas (10)
Enrique Lazaga, guiro (1-8, 10)
Alejandro Pichardo, maracas (2, 6, 10)
Lazaro Villa, claves (8), chorus (1-6, 8)
Juan de Marcos, tres, (1-3, 6-9), chorus (1-4, 6, 8), guitar (4, 6)
Barbarito Torres, laoud (1, 4, 6)
Jesus Ordonez, Julian Corrales, Pablito Mesa, Oman Pedreira, violins (5, 10)
Jose Maron, Roberto Herrera, violas (5, 10)
Juan Vendera, cello (5, 10)
Pedrito Calvo, vocals (1, 4)
Fernando Alvarez, Felix Baloy, vocals (1)
Teresita Garcia Caturla, vocals (1, 4)
Raul Planas, vocals (2)
Ignacio “Masacote” Carrillo, vocals (3)
Leo Vera, vocals (4)
Ibrahim Ferrer,  vocals (4, 6)
Dennys Martinez, vocals (4), chorus (1-6, 8)
Manuel “Puntillita” Licea, vocals (8)
Gregorio “Goyo” Hernandez, vocals (9)
Omara Portuondo, Lino Borges, vocals (10)
Demitro Muniz, chorus (5)

Juan de Marcos González, unsung hero of the Buena Vista Social Club, takes center stage with the release of Distinto, diferente ("Unique, different") the forward-looking follow up to his Afro-Cuban All Stars’ acclaimed debut album A Toda Cuba Le Gusta. González formed the Afro-Cuban All Stars as a multi-generational big band with a mission to explore the island’s rich musical heritage and to show the world the diversity, continuity and vitality of Cuban music. The band’s Grammy-nominated debut was essentially an homage to the heroes of González’s youth: the great singers of the golden age of the fifties. Distinto, diferente has a broader scope, ambitiously paying tribute to the diversity of Cuban music, marrying the past and present. It is also essentially a record for dancing, a hard-hitting affair quite different from World Circuit / Nonesuch's recent Cuban releases.

The new album deploys a variety of contrasting styles including classic son montuno, contemporary timba, swinging big band guajira, Afro-Cuban jazz, danzón, the pure tribal rhythms of abakua, bolero and more. The repertoire is a mixture of González’s unique take on Cuban classics and his own compositions including "Reconciliación," a moving plea for Cuban exiles to work together with those who remained on the island. The All Stars' trademark big-band format (four trumpets, two trombones, piano, tres, bass, percussion, and vocals) is at the core of the album’s sound, but there is variation with traditional septeto, violin and flute danzón, and voice-and-percussion tracks.

With a cast of over 50 musicians, one of González’s aims for the All Stars was for it to act as a launch pad for the careers of other Cuban musicians. He has worked closely with vocalists Ibrahim Ferrer, Manuel "Puntillita" Licea, and Raúl Planas; pianist Rubén González; laoud player Barbarito Torres; trumpeter "Guajiro" Mirabal; and bassist Orlando "Cachaíto" López; all of whom were in the original All Stars line up (and the Buena Vista Social Club). On Distinto, diferente, they return in a different, more contemporary setting.

There was not enough room on the debut album for many of González’s musical heroes, but the band was conceived as one of changing personnel, and Distinto, diferente showcases another set of exciting musicians. New additions include the singers Omara Portuondo, Teresa García Caturla (leader of the renowned Cuareto Las d’Aïda), Lino Borges (the bolero star of the early sixties), Fernando Alvarez (ex- Bebo Valdés, Benny Moré), Pedrito Calvo (Los Van Van, Orquesta Revé), and Havana’s rising young stars Dennys Martínez (Klimax) and Lío Vera (Irakere, Klimax).

González chose a multi-generational approach for the All Stars to show the continuity of Cuban music but also to create a different edge and energy, combining the experience of the elder musicians with the vitality of a new generation. This aspect is highlighted in Distinto, diferente where the young singers joust with the elder statesmen.

In addition to "Guajiro" Mirabal, the horn soloists include Jesús "Aguaje" Ramos (trombone) and Julito Padrón (trumpet), and the majority of tracks feature the young pianist David Alfaro. There is also an extraordinary trio of flute soloists spanning three generations: "Polo" Tamayo (Ritmo Oriental), Joaquín Oliveros (Enrique Jorrín), and Orlando "Maracas" Valle, the rising star of today’s scene.

González himself contributes some outstanding tres solos including a tribute to the legendary tres player Niño Rivera. Underpinning and driving the unit are the brilliant percussionists Miguel "Angá" Díaz (congas), Amadito Valdés (timbales), Carlos González (bongos), and Enrique Lazaga (güiro), a true all-star section. --- nonesuch.com

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1. Pio Mentoriso		play
2. Clasiqueando Con Ruben
3. Elube Chango		play
4. Los Sitio’ Asere
5. Gandinga, Mondongo y Sandunga
6. Huellas del Pasado
7. Amor Verdadero
8. Tributo al Nino Rivera
9. A Toda Cuba le Gusta
10. Distinto, Diferente
11. Tumba Palo Cocuye
12. Al Vaiven de Mi Carreta
13. Reconciliation

A Toda Cuba Le Gusta, tracks 1-4, 7, 9
Distinto Diferente, tracks: 5, 6, 8,10-13

The Afro-Cuban All Stars is a unique orchestra that has always been devoted to promoting the full range of Cuban music, one that embraces several generations and all musical styles. Over the years many of the band’s musicians have become international stars, including brilliant performers such as Rubén González, Ibrahim Ferrer, Guillermo Rubalcava, and Manuel "The Guajiro" Mirabal.

The genesis of the Afro-Cuban All Stars has its roots early in the 1990s. At this time the son ensemble Sierra Maestra, headed by Juan de Marcos, received a lot of international exposure. As a consequence, de Marcos was introduced to Nick Gold, president of World Music Records (at that time a small independent world music label). That encounter led to a couple of very successful tours in Europe. Later the group went to London and recorded Dundumbanza, considered one of the jewels of the world music scene of the early ‘90s. (In retrospect, this recording opened the doors to the further incredible boom of the traditional Cuban music of the period.)

Months later, de Marcos got the go-ahead to do an album celebrating the classic Cuban sound of the ‘50s – a recording whose personnel would feature many great musicians that de Marcos knew. An agreement reached, the plan was to prepare two projects: one featuring a Cuban big band, the other record favoring a more traditional sound reminiscent of the acoustic style of Nico Saquito or Portabales.

In March of 1996 they recorded the album A toda Cuba le Gusta, featuring nearly 60 performers. Then, with the addition of celebrated artists such as Compay Segundo, Omara Portuondo, Eliades Ochoa, and legendary American guitarist Ry Cooder, what became the legendary Buena Vista Social Club CD was recorded. Finally, with low budget and only during two live sessions and with simple orchestrations carried out at the studio by de Marcos, they also recorded the first solo album of Rubén González, Introducing Ruben Gonzalez. This was destined to be one of the most successful of the “Buena Vista” series of recordings.

During the spring of 1997 and along with the release in Europe of the three albums, de Marcos and a select group of stellar musicians started touring all over the continent under the banner of a band christened the "Afro-Cuban All Stars." The original line up, familiar from the records, included Ruben González and Guillermo Rubalcava (piano), Orlando López (bass), Amadito Valdés (timbale), Carlos González and Roberto Valdés (bongos & cuban percussion), Ángel Terry (congas), Daniel Ramos, Alejandro Pichardo y “Guajiro” Mirabal (trumpets), Alberto “Molote” Martínez and Jesús “Aguaje” Ramos (trombones) and, Raúl Planas, Manuel Licea, Pío Leiva, Ibrahim Ferrer and Félix Baloy (lead singers).

After several years of tremendous and unexpected success – including four Grammy nominations, being the subject of several documentaries and films, and being recipients of many other distinctions – the All Stars are certainly the best-known and successful Cuban orchestra after Los Van Van and Irakere.

The Afro-Cuban All Stars has also opened the doors to a new generation by incorporating young musicians into the band. With The Afro-Cuban All Stars, de Marcos has developed a concept moreso than simply creating a band. His approach has allowed him to expand its creative range by incorporating contemporary styles of Cuban music; as well, a fluid approach to adjusting the orchestra’s line-up by changing or adding musicians as appropriate has made it easier to best reflect the different styles of music from the various periods that the band features. The Afro-Cubans are the same orchestra that can be seen in those distinct performances captured in the famous Oscar-nominated Buena Vista Social Club documentary by Wim Wenders, the Tony Knox documentary Salon of Dreams, or the DVDs Live in Japan or Live in The Hague.

In 2002, de Marcos founded his own independent label, DM Ahora! Records, with which he released the Afro-Cuban All Stars’ albums Live in Japan and Step Forward (which was Grammy nominated in 2006). He also released A Diario (Telmary) and Goza Pepillo (Interactivo), projects that represent a new generation of Cuban music, one that fuses hip-hop with contemporary Cuban genres. More recently de Marcos, along with his wife Gliceria Abreu, has founded, GG and LL, a musical production company based in Mexico City that aims to create a space for the new Latin American Music, especially that interpreted by songwriters.

The recent plans for the Afro-Cuban All Stars include the recording this year of the albums Breaking the Rules & Step Backward. This documents de Marcos’ latest project, where he has gathered the most remarkable expatriate Cuban musicians from around the world. This new version of the Afro-Cuban All Stars started touring internationally from February 2009 and its debut was in the United States, Singapore and Canada.

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1 Chucho Valdés  – 	Caravan 	7:01 	
2 Gonzalo Rubalcaba  –  Contagio 	6:40 	
3 Ray Barretto And New World Spirit – 	Dance Of Denial 	5:52 	
4 Frank Emilio – 	La Mulata Rumbera 	6:38 	
5 Eliane Elias – 	The Time Is Now 	4:38 	
6 Chucho Valdés – 	El Cumbanchero 	6:54 	
7 Irakere  – 	La Explosion 	8:10 	
8 Gonzalo Rubalcaba – 	Eshun Agwe 	7:42

Personnel:
Reynaldo Melián Álvarez 	Trumpet
Manolo Badrena 	Percussion, Vocals
Felipe Cabrera 	Bass (Electric)
Jose Miguel Crego 	Trombone, Trumpet
Carlos del Puerto 	Bass
Mario Fernandez 	Trumpet
Román Filiú 	Sax (Alto)
Roberto Vizcaino Guillot 	Chekere, Congas, Cowbell
Giovanni Hidalgo 	Congas, Percussion
Marc Johnson 	Bass
Cesar Lopez 	Sax (Alto)
José Miguel Meléndez 	Timbales
Andres Negrin Miranda 	Congas
Carlos Emilio Morales 	Guitar
Enrique Plá 	Drums
Alain Pérez Rodríguez 	Bass
Raúl Píñeda Roque 	Drums
Gonzalo Rubalcaba 	Piano, Synthesizer
Satoshi Takeishi 	Drums
Alfred Thompson 	Sax (Tenor)
Chucho Valdés 		Piano, Primary Artist
Dave Valentin 	Flute

Afro-Cuban Jazz Now is an acceptable overview of the Afro-Cuban jazz roster Blue Note employed at the turn of the century. All of these are album cuts, and nothing here is extraordinary in and of itself, though all of it points to the strengths of these artists and to their own offerings in particular. The budget price makes it an attractive sampler. ---Thom Jurek, Rovi

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[04:42] 01. - La Fiesta Esta Comenzando [Guaracha]
[06:00] 02. - Campina [Son]
[06:22] 03. - Rumbata [Cuban Jazz]
[04:07] 04. - Tu, Mi Delirio [Bolero]
[05:23] 05. - Rumberos de Verda [Rumba]
[05:58] 06. - Soy el Matancero [Danzon]
[04:53] 07. - Coge Este Tumbao [Descarga]
[04:58] 08. - Charanga Para Ti [Descarga]
[04:39] 09. - Changuii Para Gozar
[04:01] 10. - El Que Siembra Su Maiz [Son]
[03:17] 11. - Baila Mi Conga, Vacilala

Personnel includes: 
Cascarita (vocals); 
Pancho Amat (tres); 
Barbarito Torres (flute); 
Tata Gaines (percussion).

Who got me in love with Cuban music, both the folk and jazz varieties, is another Cuban group that bears the very patriotic name of "Cuarteto Patria". Since then, I have become accustomed to Jane Bunnet's beautiful albums, the "Buena Vista Social Club", and they all made me listen much more attentively to the Central and South American folk music. This album contains a string of songs so alive that you cannot sit down while listening to it. To me, it is amazing how so much good music can come out of such a small island. To the connoisseurs, this album is a confirmation, while for the newcomers it will be an eye opener. ---Adriaan Ciobanu, amazon.com

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