December 28, 1 9 9 5 - January 4, 1 9 9 6

*** Septeto Habanero

75 YEARS LATER

(Corason/Rounder)

While singing praises to the endurance of the Rolling Stones, we should remember that the Septeto Habaneros have been kicking it for 75 years without losing a beat of their famous son cubano. Considered the bad boys of Havana in the '20s for their outrageous sones , the Septeto Habanero melded steamy Afro-Caribbean rhythms with a brassy trumpet and falsetto vocals, creating a new musical style that blew the minuet off the dance floor.

Lead singer Manuel Furé, hired in 1952 by the original members (all of whom have since passed away) and guitarist Pedro Ibañez (recruited in '64) brought aboard new blood for this collection, mixing traditional sones with new creations and fresh arrangements of classics. Most surprising is their rendition of the Mexican mariachi anthem, "Cielito Lindo" (with its unfortunate Frito Bandito association). The African percussion and a distinctive Cuban inflection and tempo turn the swaying Mexican original into a pure son cubano. In "Cuatro Palomas," the trumpet soars so effortlessly above the bongos that the four doves Furé is singing about seem to come to life.

"El Orgullo de los Soneros" is a delightful introduction to the pride and tradition of these son-players. Furé tells you exactly how to play the son: "You don't need to be strident/Nor make too much noise/If you mark out the beat well/With rhythm and with harmony/You'll see that you're playing the son/With joy, the Cuban way." The sunny simplicity of the Septeto Habanero will have even the coldest New Englander dreaming of Cuban stogies and café con leche.

-- Liz Rourke