BEBO VALDÉS & JAVIER COLINA - Live at the Village Vanguard (2007) FLAC (image+.cue), lossless

Bebo Valdés has been one of the giants of Cuban music since the 1950s, though he has lived in Stockholm since the early '60s. This live recording, his very first, was made in 2005 over several nights at the Village Vanguard, with Valdés at the age of 86. The pianist's powerful left hand makes it superfluous for him to have a percussionist; his sole accompanist is bassist Javier Colina, a gifted partner who weaves intricate lines with Valdés. Though the music is dominated by Cuban rhythms, this live CD is hardly one-dimensional in scope. Valdés' rhythmic composition "Con Poco Coco" works in quotes from "Old Devil Moon" and "Salt Peanuts." His dramatic rendition of the standard "Yesterdays" is pure mainstream, with a few flourishes added, while his lovely setting of Bill Evans' "Waltz for Debby" is very playful. Of course, the bulk of the disc focuses on Latin gems, including a lighthearted take of Ernesto Lecouna's "Andalucía" and a sauntering version of Lecouna's "Siboney." If there had been room in the packed nightclub, the audience would have likely been up dancing to the lively "Bilongo," though they do chant the lyrics along with the musicians. Highly recommended. by Ken Dryden

Tracklist:

1 Con Poco Coco 6:29

2 Sabor A Mi 3:34

3 Ritmando El Cha-Cha-Cha 5:50

4 Rosa Mustia 6:28

5 Andalucia 2:29

6 Siboney 4:11

7 Tres Palabras 2:41

8 Aquellos Ojos Verdes 3:54

9 Bilongo 5:48

10 Si Te Contara 4:30

11 Bebo's Blues 4:44

12 Yesterdays 4:15

13 El Manisero 5:26

14 Waltz For Debby 4:48

Credits:

Double Bass – Javier Colina

Piano – Bebo Valdés

BEBO VALDÉS - Bebo Ride Again (1994-2004) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

This CD is both historic and quite exciting. Bebo Valdes (father of Chucho, the leader of Irakere) was one of the giants of Cuban jazz and popular music until he fled the country in 1960. Amazingly enough, he had not recorded since, despite living peacefully in Sweden. This recording is also significant in that it is one of the first times that Cuban exiles had recorded with Cubans still living under Castro (guitarist Carlos Emilio Morales and percussionist Amadito Valdes). Paquito D'Rivera (who organized this set) deserves a lot of credit for its success, but Valdes is the real star. He composed eight new selections in the 36 hours before the recordings began, although he was 76 years old at the time. Although Valdes claimed that, with the lack of sleep and excess of writing (he also arranged ten of the 11 songs), his fingers felt a bit stiff, he plays quite well throughout the very enjoyable music. The final results are full of strong melodies, stirring rhythms, exciting ensembles, and lots of variety. The instrumentation differs on each track, with plenty of solo space for D'Rivera (on both alto and clarinet), trombonist Juan-Pablo Torres (who takes "Veinte Anos" as a duet with Valdes), trumpeter Diego Urcola, and the pianist. The percussionists work together quite well behind the lead voices, and every selection is well worth hearing. This is one of the finest Afro-Cuban jazz recordings of recent times. Highly recommended. Scott Yanow 
Tracklist:
1 Al Dizzy Gillespie 5:00
2 Anda 4:54
3 Pa' Goza 4:25
4 Felicia 5:20
5 La Comparsa 4:55
6 A La Marcheré 3:42
7 Pan Com Timba 7:00
8 Veinte Años 3:37
9 Pierre Jamballah 5:31
10 To Mario Bauza 6:05
11 Oleaje 2:00
Credits:
Alto Saxophone, Clarinet, Producer – Paquito D'Rivera
Bass – Joe Santiago
Congas, Bongos – Carlos "Patato" Valdés, Gabriel Machado
Guiro, Maracas, Congas – Gerardo Rosales
Guitar – Carlos Emilio Morales
Piano – Bebo Valdés
Timbales – Amadito Valdés
Trombone – Juan Pablo Torres
Trumpet, Flugelhorn – Diego Urcola