A Toda Cuba le Gusta was the Afro-Cuban All Stars’ first studio album originally released in 1997 on World Circuit Records.
The record was the first of a three consecutive recordings that took place in early 1996, all of which were recorded by World Circuit in a single two-week session at Havana’s EGREM studios, 1996. The other albums, which share many of the same recording artists, were Buena Vista Social Club and Introducing…Ruben Gonzalez.
One of my favourite songs from this LP is opening track Amor Verdadero. Translating as True Love, this vibrant burst of sound derives from a guajira-son (the Guajira being a sung music genre of cuban music) and was written by José “Cheo” Marquetti using the same arrangements that many classical Afro-Cuban Jazz bands from the 1950’s used!
This Autumn, as part of their classic album series, World Circuit Records are to release a re-mastered version of the album. Available for the first time on double 180gm heavyweight vinyl, the record comes with the added quirk of a playing speed of 45rpm.
Pre-order your copy from here
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