La Sonora Matancera Albums (24)
'Ahi Viene La Sonora Mantancera'
Release Date 11/16/2004
Tracks 12
Label Palladium
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What The Critics Say
La Sonora Mantancera's international fame rests partly with their 15-year run as singer Celia Cruz' backup band. From 1950 until 1965, the group provided Cuba's best-known diva with all manner of sophisticated backdrops, ranging from mambos and rumbas to the slower dance rhythms of the bolero and danzon. In fact, from the their beginnings as a conjunto in the '20s up through the '70s, the band's solid reputation made them the preferred backing band of practically all the famous singers from Cuba and the Latin world. The group has also gained notoriety as one of the major inspirations for the New York salsa boom of the '60s and '70s. On this fine Palladium release (originally put out by the Seeco label), La Sonora Mantancera certainly offer up some fine proto-salsa moments, especially on medium-tempo cuts like "Djame Ya Mujer" and "Guillate." Also included are classic mambo performances like "Oye Mima" and many sultry boleros featuring the svelte but sturdy pipes of renowned Cuban singer Celio Gonzalez (he is heard on all the tracks). Cut around 1960, when the band and Cruz left Cuba following Castro's rise to power, Ahi Viene La Sonora Mantancera is a great slice of big band Cuban music made before Eddie Palmieri and Willie Colon officially ushered in the boogaloo and salsa era, taking Afro-Cuban music in yet another direction. ~ Stephen Cook, All Music Guide
'Algo Especial Por La Sonora Matancera'
Release Date 11/16/2004
Tracks 12
Label Palladium
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'Cuban Classics: La Sonora Matancera'
Release Date 7/25/2000
Tracks 10
Label Max Latin
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'Chango Ta Veni'
Release Date 2/15/2000
Tracks 14
Label International Music
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'La Sonora Matancera con Vicentico Valdes'
Release Date 11/9/1999
Tracks 14
Label International Music
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'Clasicos de la Musica Cubana'
Release Date 3/23/1999
Tracks 10
Label Gozando Music
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'La Sonora Matancera con Nelson Pinedo'
Release Date 2/9/1999
Tracks 14
Label International Music
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What The Critics Say
La Sonora Matancera was famous not only for its first-class musicians -- it was also famous for featuring talented vocalists like Celia Cruz, Myrta Silva and Nelson Pinedo. Released by the London-based Rise International Music in the late '90s, this 14-song CD focuses on Pinedo's work with the legendary Cuban salsa band. A singer who was as flexible as he was charismatic, Pinedo could swing hard and passionately on uptempo son, rhumba, mambo and guaguanco, only to turn around and tug at your heartstrings with lilting boleros (Latin ballads). Pinedo is as convincing on hard-swinging Afro-Cuban classics like "Mi Barquito Marinero," "Sabrosito Asi," "Besame Morenita" and "Mujer Celosa" as he is on romantic boleros such as "Amor Fenecido," "Te Enganaron Corazon" and "Indiferente." Unfortunately, the liner notes are weak -- no recording dates are given. But the sound quality is decent, and Rise's choices are first rate. Full of gems, this CD demonstrates why Matancera was one of the top salsa bands to enrich the pre-Castro Cuba of the'50s -- and why salseros continued to hold its classic recordings in such high regard long after the '50s had passed. ~ Alex Henderson, All Music Guide
