No que Bueno Esta! [ECD]

With the continued popularity of the Buena Vista Social Club, it seems that Cuban artists are in more demand than ever. If the polished skills of Bamboleo is any indication, the tiny island country still has plenty of great musical resources that have yet to be mined. Bamboleo specializes in a style known as timba -- a blend of jazz, salsa, soul, funk, and Afro-Caribbean rhythms. The first four tracks of No Que Bueno Esta, which were recorded live, are the album's highlight. The rich vocals of singers Vannia Borges and Yordamis M. Megret are a perfect counterpoint for the band's powerful, brass-filled arrangements. Unfortunately, the last six tracks of the album are mostly remixes of the group's other songs. For some reason, the album's producers feel the need to rely on DJ scratches and rapping to appeal to a new audience. If the Buena Vista Social Club has proven anything, it's that music fans want to hear Cuban musicians speak for themselves. It's too bad that this album doesn't understand that. ~ Jon Azpiri