PAQUITO D'RIVERA - The Lost Sessions (2002) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

While the title would have listeners believe that these sessions are of a piece, they are actually compiled tracks from the years 1976-1978, with four different bands and five different sessions -- including two in Havana. Some of the D'Rivera's associates on these dates include the Finland Jazz Combo, Chucho and Oscar Valdes, Arturo Sandoval, Emilio Morales, and Irakere. The program contains everything from American standards such as "I Want to Talk About You," given a squealing yet lyrical read -- and "Stella By Starlight," to fiery Cuban jazz, such as the stomping "La Patica," to Brazilian-styled numbers such as " "Bossa Del Pico Electrico." Whether the accompaniment is Irakere, or the more traditional players in Europe or Latin America, D'Rivera's horn is constantly burning and twisting, creating new harmonic lines in the front as he reinvents cadences rhythmically. This is a stellar collection, and one that every fan should at least hear.
(This comment is posted on Allmusic by Thom Jurek, follower of our blog 'O Púbis da Rosa')
Tracklist :
1     I Want to Talk About You 8:20
Billy Eckstine
2     Mi Pequeña Anna 7:26
3     Stella by Starlight 4:33
Ned Washington / Victor Young
4     Canción a Palia 6:06
Jesús Valdés
5     La Patica 3:51
Abelardo Buch
6     Para Ti Llevo Más 3:32
Abelardo Buch
7     Mirando Caer la Lluvia 2:41
8     Pulgarcito en Guanabara 1:56
Abelardo Buch
9     Bossa del Pico Eléctrico 2:48
Carlos Emilio Morales
10     Hay Solución 3:31
Abelardo Buch
11     Te Quiero Más y Tú No Estás 3:31
Abelardo Buch
Credits :
Paquito D'Rivera - soprano, alto and baritone saxes, flute
Chucho Valdes - piano
Arturo Sandoval - trumpet
Carlos Emilio Morales - guitar
Carlos Averhoff - tenor sax
Enrique Pla - drums
Jorge Varona - trumpet
Oscar Valdes - percussion

IRAKERE - The Legendary "Irakere" in London (1988-1992) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

The premiere Cuban music group Irakere has played Ronnie Scott's club in London regularly since 1985. Their Jazz House CD starts out with a throwaway salsa vocal piece, then has two impressive showcases for German Velazco (one apiece on alto and soprano). "Stella By Stalight" (which in Spanish is "Estella Va A Estallar") is swung hard and the closing, nearly 17-minute rendition of Dave Brubeck's "The Duke" has explosive yet lyrical piano playing by Chucho Valdes and some shouting choruses worthy of the Count Basie Orchestra. Overall this is one of Irakere's jazz recordings that is easily recommended. by Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1     Bailando Así 5:46
Chucho Valdés
2     Johana 9:50
Chucho Valdés
3     Estela Va a Estallar 9:29
Ned Washington / Victor Young
4     Las Margaritas 7:45
Chucho Valdés
5     Lo Que Va a Pasar 7:12
Chucho Valdés
6     The Duke 16:54
Dave Brubeck
Credits :
Alto Saxophone, Soprano Saxophone, Flute – Germán Velazco
Baritone Saxophone, Flute, Chorus – José Luis Cortés
Bass, Chorus – Carlos del Puerto
Drums, Percussion – Enrique Plá
Guitar – Carlos E. Morales
Keyboards – Jesus "Chucho" Valdes
Percussion, Vocals – Oscar Valdés
Tenor Saxophone, Flute – Carlos Averhoff
Trumpet, Flugelhorn – Jorge Varona, Juan Munguia 

IRAKERE - Live at Ronnie Scott's (1991) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

In Irakere's earlier days, this premiere Cuban group often had to disguise the fact that they were playing imperalistic music from the West (i.e. jazz). Maybe now the masquerade is no longer necessary for the music on this definitive CD would never be mistaken for anything else. Heavily influenced both by Dizzy Gillespie and the rhythms of Cuba and South America, the 11-piece group is in top form interpreting the compositions of its pianist/leader Chuco Valdes (who has a memorable workout on "Mr. Bruce"). Five of the six selections are primaily features for individual players. Throughout this memorable set, the ensemble work is clean and loose, the percussionists keep the proceedings fiery and the soloists are excellent. by Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1     Neurosis 12:27
Chucho Valdés
2     Cuando Canta el Corazon (When My Heart Sings) 8:00
Chucho Valdés
3     Mirando Arriba (Looking Up) 7:20
Chucho Valdés
4     Flute Notes 12:58
Chucho Valdés
5     Mr. Bruce 11:40
Chucho Valdés
6     Claudia 8:51
Chucho Valdés
Credits :
Alto Saxophone – César López
Arranged By – Jesus Valdés (faixas: 1 to 6)
Bass – Carlos del Puerto
Composed By – Jesus Valdés (faixas: 1 to 6)
Congas – Miguel "Angá" Díaz
Drums – Enrique Plá
Flute – Orlando "Maraca" Valle
Guitar – Carlos Emilio Morales
Keyboards – Orlando "Maraca" Valle
Percussion – Enrique Plá, Oscar Valdés
Piano – Jesus Valdés
Soprano Saxophone – César López
Tenor Saxophone – Carlos Averhoff
Trumpet – Adalberto Lara, Juan Munguia
Vocals – Oscar Valdés

IRAKERE ft. CHUCHO VALDÉS - Yemayá (1999) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

The sudden breakout of Chucho Valdés as a solo artist in North America in 1998 was no doubt the leverage behind the new billing of his band, "Irakere featuring Chucho Valdés," and the large amount of exposure that his piano fireworks get here. The band sometimes doesn't sound all that electrified by the prospect, though ultimately they do take us on a wide-ranging tour of acoustic and electric Latin jazz idioms and grooves. "Mister Bruce" most emphatically features the leader, a tour de force for Valdes who unleashes a torrent of notes (not always coherently) over percussion, bass and drums. "Santa Amalia" is straight ahead Latin jazz with lots of Valdes, hot horn solos and a flourish of vocals at the close, yet for all of its 13 minutes, it doesn't totally ignite. "La Explosión," with quotes from "Love for Sale" near the end, presents a multi-sectioned serpent of funk, bop and mambo -- nothing really fused since the grooves appear in sections -- while "San Francisco" is a fine, barely updated Latin boogaloo. "Son Montuno," which also appears on Valdes' Bele Bele en la Habana solo album, is blown open by some rough rock guitar, the old freewheeling Irakere spirit at work. Though Yemayá has its big moments, Valdés seems to have saved his most heated inspirations of the late '90s for his own solo work. by Richard S. Ginell  
Tracklist :
1     Yemaya 7:27
Chucho Valdés
2     Mister Bruce 9:47
Chucho Valdés
3     Santa Amalia 13:01
Chucho Valdés
4     La Explosion 8:15
Chucho Valdés
5     San Francisco 4:12
Chucho Valdés
6     Son Montuno 6:00
Tito Puente / Chucho Valdés
7     Chorrino 6:55
Chucho Valdés
Credits :
Alto Saxophone – César López
Bass – Carlos del Puerto
Congas – Andrés Miranda
Drums [Trap Drums], Tabla – Enrique Plá
Guitar – Carlos Emilio Morales
Piano, Composed By, Arranged By – Chucho Valdés
Producer – Chucho Valdés, René López
Solo Vocal – Mayra Caridad Valdés (faixas: 1)
Tenor Saxophone – Alfredo Thompson
Timbales – José Miguel Meléndez
Trumpet – Basilio Márquez, Mario Fernández 

IRAKERE - Bacalao Con Pan (2006) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Capturing a period between 1974 and 1985, in what was arguably Irakere's heyday, after they had developed a strong stylistic voice, and before the direction of jazz fusion changed significantly in the '90s, Bacalao con Pan, a collection from the Escondida label, is an excellent showcase for some of Irakere's B-sides and lesser-known gems, with a few dance hits thrown in for good measure. Seldom will one find a disc with such diverse selections as the intelligent and rare guitar composition "Romance" alongside name-brand Irakere hits like "Aguanile Bonko." Escondida did a fantastic job of organizing a pleasing and original playlist. Even Irakere enthusiasts might find themselves saying, "I've never heard that before." It's important to note that it would be hard to make these Cuban legends sound bad, but the flow on Bacalao con Pan is particularly excellent. There is an even balance between their famous raw, live presence and more polished-sounding studio material. Similarly, there is an almost even split between big-production, crowd-pleasing vocal numbers and the compositionally sophisticated tunes that won the heart of the jazz world. This record would be an excellent introduction to Irakere in their prime. by Evan C. Gutierrez  
Tracklist :
1     Valle de Picadura 4:57
Chucho Valdés
2     Romance (Juegos Prohibidos) 4:18
Leo Brower
3     Aguanile Bonkó 4:43
Chucho Valdés
4     La Semilla 4:33
Chucho Valdés
5     Calzada del Cerro 6:57
Chucho Valdés
6     Santiaguera 7:04
Oscar Valdés
7     Bailando Así 6:12
Manolo del Valle
8     Siete Tazas de Café 7:39
Chucho Valdés
9     Taka Takata 3:14
Al Veriane         
10     Este Camino Largo 6:49
Juan Almeida
11     Bacalao Con Pan 3:46
Raul Valdes
12     Rucu Rucu a Santa Clara 7:51
Jose Luis Cortes       
13     La Verdad 3:53
Oscar Valdés

ARTURO SANDOVAL & CHUCHO VALDÉS - Straight Ahead (1984) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

With his remarkable range and phenomenal technique, Arturo Sandoval is one of the world's great trumpeters; he can do virtually anything he wants on his instrument. Some detractors have claimed that he has too much technique (is such a thing possible?) and that his recordings for GRP are a bit erratic. The latter criticism cannot be applied to this 1988 release. Sandoval is heard with a standard quartet comprised of the great pianist Chucho Valdes (the leader of Irakere), bassist Ron Matthewson, and drummer Martin Drew. Recorded in England before Sandoval broke ties with Cuba, Sandoval is in near-miraculous form on some blues, a lyrical "My Funny Valentine," and a few basic originals. Just listen to him tear through "Blue Monk," playing in the low register with the speed of an Al Hirt before jumping into the stratosphere like Maynard Ferguson. This CD serves as an excellent introduction for the bop lover to the very talented Arturo Sandoval. by Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1     King Pete's Heart 7:55
Arturo Sandoval
2     My Funny Valentine 10:25
Lorenz Hart / Richard Rodgers
3     Mambo Influenciado 4:26
Chucho Valdés
4     Claudia 7:16
Chucho Valdés
5     Blues 88 6:78
Arturo Sandoval
6     Blue Monk 8:08
Thelonious Monk
Credits :
Bass – Ron Matthewson
Drums – Martin Drew
Trumpet, Flugelhorn – Arturo Sandoval
Piano – Chucho Valdes

IRAKERE - Misa Negra (1987-1991) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Irakere has been heralded as one of the best big bands in the world. Propelled by a driving rhythm section and potent horn section, this Cuban band won the Latin Grammy Awards in 1979 and 1980. On this 1986 recording, the band sinks its collective teeth into a few originals, including the 17-minute, four-part title track, as well as a cover of Dave Brubeck's "El Duke." In his liner notes, Luis Tamargo states: "The vigor of Irakere lies within each individual performer, and there are no weak loops in the band's musical chain." by Roundup Newsletter
Tracklist:
1 Concierto para Metales 8:47
2 Misa Negra 17:05
3 Samba para Enrique 6:08
4 El Duke 8:54
Credits:
Bass – Carlos del Puerto
Congas – Jorge Alfonso
Drums – Enrique Plá
Guitar – Carlos Emilio Morales
Percussion – Oscar Valdes
Piano, Keyboards – Chucho Valdés
Saxophone, Flute – Carlos Averhoff, Germán Velazco, José Luis Cortés
Strings – Stuttgarter Symphoniker (tracks: 2)
Trumpet – Jorge Varona, Juan Mungula

JESUS CHUCHO VALDÉS - Lucumi (1988-2006) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Lecumi is an often-thoughtful solo recital by pianist Chucho Valdes. Part of the time he comes across as a Latin Ray Bryant, displaying his two-handed style and a tie to the swing tradition; at other times the pianist recalls McCoy Tyner. Valdes' nine originals are full of rich melodies, are often wistful, and are explored with taste and subtle creativity. A tasteful effort. by Scott Yanow
Tracklist:
1 Jica 5:22
2 Dembo 6:21
3 Moane 5:12
4 Mambo Influenciado 6:16
5 Jessica 1:49
6 Osun 7:43
7 Adiva 3:20
8 Oyambo 7:47
9 Amanecer 3:29
Written-By – Chucho Valdés

CHUCHO VALDÉS - Bele Bele en La Habana (1998) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Issued just after his landmark two-week June 1998 gig at the Village Vanguard and subsequent U.S./Canada tour, Chucho Valdés' first album for Blue Note bears out a lot of the hype surrounding this hugely gifted Cuban pianist. Unlike many of today's younger Cuban keyboard hotshots, Valdés not only has great technical chops and musical erudition, he manages to stay closely tied to his Cuban rhythmic roots. Thus, he employs a Cuban percussionist Roberto Vizcaino Guillot along with the standard bass (Alain Pérez Rodriguez) and drums (Raúl Píñeda Roque), which dramatically increases the possibilities for rhythmic experiments. Valdés more often than not is all over the keyboard, comfortable with everything from Ravel-ian classical complexity to Bill Evans' introspection to Cecil Taylor-like crunches. But there are surprisingly few wasted motions; all of the notes fit. He creates tremendous excitement on "Con Poco Loco" (which ends with a sly steal from "Giant Steps"), and suddenly breaks into a cornucopia of European stream-of-consciousness fireworks before returning to Cuba on "Son Montuno." However, the best moments on Bele Bele en La Habana come when Valdés hooks his fire-eating technique into the groove and doesn't let go. "El Cumbanchero" contains some sudden rhythmic shifts that will have you leaping out of your chair, and "Tres Lindas Cubanas" gradually builds a great head of steam. This CD will give you a much better idea of Valdés' pianistic capabilities than any of his records with Irakere. On a political level, it is interesting and disheartening to note that Valdés recorded this album in Toronto under the auspices of EMI Music Canada; a direct signing with Blue Note would have exposed the American company to charges of trading with the enemy. Obviously, as of 1998, the Cold War was not completely over. by Richard S. Ginell  

Tracklist
1 Son Montuno 7:12  
Chucho Valdés
2 Lorraine 5:41 
Chucho Valdés
3 But Not for Me (Pero No Para Mi) 3:07 
George Gershwin / Ira Gershwin
4 Con Poco Coco (Without Much Thought) 8:35 
Chucho Valdés
5 El Cumbanchero (The Rumba Dancer) 6:54
Rafael Hernández
6 Tres Lindas Cubanas (Three Pretty Cuban Girls) 6:29  
Guillermo Castillo
7 La Sitiera (The Small Farm) 8:44
Chucho Valdés
8 Los Caminos (The Pathways) 9:30
Pablo Milanés