[.ca] Baila Mi Son

From Amazon.com:
As a youngster, Félix Baloy was influenced by the great Cuban sonero Beny Moré and made a living singing until the Cuban revolution, after which he laid low until the mid-'70s when he resumed his career with the great Elio Revé. Eventually he ended up vocalizing for the Afro-Cuban All Stars, many of whom back him on this satisfying solo debut. Excellent as the band is, this is Baloy's record, showing all his chops, whether singing in a free upper range, scatting, or simply being gloriously melodic. The music ranges from the driving montuno of the title cut to the rhythmic Afro-Cuban guaguanco-changüi of the closer, "Misericordia, ¡No Aguanto!" Add to that a spry duet with Teresa Garcia Caturla (who's worked with Ibrahim Ferrer) on "Mami Te Gustó" and you have a sparkling record with unstoppable grooves and swing--the kind of debut that's the dream of every artist, even if they are 56 years old. --Chris Nickson

Ven a bailar. Tu gustara este album.:
This was my second Cuban album after Buena Vista Social Club. However these tracks are far more dance-able than BVSC: everything from Cha Cha Cha to Meringue and Salsa. For those who know the music of Felix Baloy - this is another "feel-good" album - brilliant for getting you in the mood for an evening of going out, or for getting you up in the morning. Give it a listen - maybe not a classic, but good enough to get you dancing and get you listening to it again and again. Enjoy it!

Excellent!:
Those already familiar with the Buena Vista Social Club ("BVSC") already have an idea of what to expect with this one. Those who are familiar with the Afro-Cuban Allstars have an even BETTER idea of what to expect. Felix Baloy teamed up with the Afro-Cuban Allstars on their releases and laid down some brilliant vocals. Here, he takes on a more "solo" effort. Really though, it's the Afro-Cuban Allstars (and the incredible Juan De Marcos Gonzalez) backing him up. Those who know, Afro-Cuban Allstars are a more up-tempo, jazzier take on what the BVSC is doing. The songs are much more dancier, salsa oriented. The mellow stuff is best found on the BVSC release, or any of the solo efforts by members of the BVSC (i.e., Ibrahim Ferrer, Compay Segundo, Ruben Gonzalez, Omara Portuondo, etc.). This stuff is for dancing and getting the fiesta started. If you aren't familiar with the BVSC or Afro-Cuban Allstars, but ARE familiar with anything in the "Cubanismo" series, you can compare this release to that kind of stuff. However, in my humble opinion, this (and every other BVSC or Afro-Cuban Allstars release) is MUCH, MUCH better than the Cubanismo series. And, I will admit, that is saying a great deal because the Cubanismo series isn't bad at all. In short, get this, get this, get this! It's much harder to come by than any of the other releases I mentioned, but it is sooooooo very worth having. A must in your collection.

Afro Cuban Music at its very best:
This is my third album by the Afro Cuban All Stars, and one of the very best in my Cuban collection. This stuff is HOT. I cannot say enough in praise of Juan de Marcos González, for it was HE who brought together the Buena Vista Social Club project and made it happen. González has a unique talent for bringing together the greatest musicians and singers available, then orchestrating the most outstanding Cuban music so as to present it in a way that is sure to delight music lovers everywhere. Fans of Afro Cuban music will find none better. His Afro Cuban All Stars are a somewhat fluid ensemble that has featured such Cuban greats as Teresa Garcia Caturla, Ibrahim Ferrer, Rubén González, Amadito Valdez, "Cachaito" López, Barbarito Torres, and "Guajiro" Mirabal, among others. Imagine my disappointment when the events of September 11th caused the Juan de Marcos and his group to cancel a US tour for which I already had third row tickets at Cincinnati's best concert hall!!! I was heartbroken and, to console myself, had to spend my refund on more CD's.

A Wonderful CD:
I agree with the previous reviewer who compared this to the Buena Vista Social Club and the Afro Cuban All Stars CDs. As a person with over 600 CDs in my collection, I can clearly say that this is one of the best and as good as the Afro Cuban All Stars two previous releases which were also outstanding. Well recorded and mixed, this CD will give you a smile and will get you on your feet. Highly recommended.

• Baila mi son
• Mami Te Gusto
• Yo Soy el del Sentimiento
• Despues de Esta Noche
• Mal de la Hipocresia
• Ven a Bailar Cha Cha Cha
• Cada Vez Que Te Veo
• Lo Es Todo Tu Amor
• Son de Baloy
• Misericordia, ¡No Aguanto!