Gonzalo Rubalcaba [Import]

Track Listings

1. Mambo Influenciado

2. My Funny Valentine

3. A Night In Tunisia

4. Regreso Feliz

5. Rapsodia Espanola

6. Little Walter

Editorial Reviews
Product Description
Born Into a Musical Family, Pianist, Composer and Bandleader, Gonzalo Rubalcaba, Started his Career at the Age of Five Playing in his Father's Band. Gonzalo is an Extraordinarily Talented and Exciting Musician, an Interpreter and Creator of Cuban, Caribbean and Classical Music. His Music Traces Way Back to his Roots, the Easily Interwoven Musical Idioms that is the Product of the Long Presence of American Jazz on Cuban Soil, in Different Styles that Reach High Levels of Musical Technicality and Mastery.

Gonzalo Rubalcaba,Gonzalo Rubalcaba,Gdn,Latin

Tracks:

En La Orilla Del Mundo (At The Edge Of The World)
Noche De Ronda (Night Of Wandering)
Nocturnal
Moonlight (Claro De Luna)
Yo Sin Ti (Me Without You)
No Te Empenes Mas (Don't Try Anymore)
Transparence
El Ciego (The Blind)
Nightfall
Tres Palabras (Three Words)
Contigo En La Distancia/En Nosotros (With You In The Distance/In Us)

Amazon.com's Best of 2001

Charlie Haden has a long-standing interest in Cuban music, first touched on with his Liberation Music Orchestra over 30 years ago. Nocturne expands on that affinity and on the bassist's relationship with Cuban piano virtuoso Gonzalo Rubalcaba, who introduced Haden to the tradition of the Cuban ballad, or bolero. The result is this very unusual mix of slow- to medium-tempo pieces, limpid, sometimes almost somber songs that are filled with yearning romanticism, wistful lyricism, and an inner light. The program includes five Cuban ballads, including "Tres Palabras," almost a jazz standard after recordings by Coleman Hawkins and Joe Henderson, and four from Mexico, among them Arturo Castro's beautiful "Yo Sin Ti." To this, Haden has added two originals and Rubalcaba one, and they're perfectly continuous with the traditional material. Rubalcaba is clearly devoted to these melodies, his usual pyrotechnic flights replaced by subtle harmonic shadings that enrich the original tunes. Haden seems to sculpt these songs anew in his lower register, while drummer Ignacio Berroa adds varied and lilting percussion patterns.

The music is enhanced by a series of superb guest spots. Joe Lovano adds a Getz-like, lyric transparency to four of the songs (and they're all songs, whether they have words or not), while David Sanchez adds his weightier tone to two. Pat Metheny's acoustic guitar makes "Noche de Ronda" a moonlit reverie, while Uruguayan violinist Federico Britos Ruiz adds his own sweetly idiomatic touch to three tracks. Three pieces also gain increasingly dark hues from Rubalcaba's cello-thick string arrangements. Something of a departure for both Haden and Rubalcaba, Nocturne is true to its origins while creating its own ineffable moods. --Stuart Broomer

Customer Reviews:

every single note is perfect!.......2007-03-30

last month i experienced some horror in my life that was worthy of a stephen king novel. i wanted to listen to charlie haden's sublime album "nocturne," and i couldn't find it! it was not there where it should be amongst my other charlie haden cds! fear overtook me at once and i began turning the house upside down in my frantic search for this gem. nowhere was it to be found. my heart raced and beads of sweat formed on my forehead. i felt sick. well, amazon.com came to my rescue. i jumped online and ordered me another copy pronto. and now i have this gorgeous recording back in my home. seriously, i have over 700 jazz albums, and this one is in my top 25. like the miles davis slice of heaven "kind of blue," this charlie haden album is perfect. every second. every note. perfect and beautiful. gonazlo rubalcaba's piano work is stunning, as is the saxophone work of joe lovano and david sanchez. federico ruiz violin playing adds another great dimension here. and, of course, mr haden's bass is sublime, as always. cuban jazz for late nights, this is quiet, contemplative music at its best. may you find yourself a copy and never misplace it. i'm sure my original copy will turn up someday beneath a butter dish or amongst the dog's toy chest. that'll be great. then i will have two copies. as long as i never have to go through another day of life without this near at hand for when the mood is right!

Haden + Rubalcaba = Jazz Fidelity to Latin Roots.......2007-01-15

This is my favorite jazz record purchase of the last ten years. Once again Haden generously finds a more dominant instrument (piano) with which to match his own tasteful accompaniment and arrangments. The album truly retains the original Latin flavor of the seelctions yet is bona fide jazz. For me only the great jazz recordings of the "Concierto de Aranjuez" (Jim Hall; the MJQ; and Miles Davis) reach so faithfully and so successfully back to Spanish or Latin American traditional music or boleros but within the medium of jazz.

Don't buy it!.......2005-07-08

Now this is a real disappointment, and I even bought it a full price. I saw it on the list of Down Beat's Album of the Year and bought it without thinking twice about it. A far cry from "Always Say Goodbye", which is in a similar laid-back style. And an even farer cry from his duo record with Kenny Barron, "Night and the City".

Only a few words to explain........2005-04-13

Imagine: you're driving on the highway late at night.There is no traffic and nobody is waiting for you at home.
Imagine: Charlie Haden, bass Gonzalo Rubalcaba, piano.
This should do it.

More lovely playing from Metheny/Haden.......2005-03-13

I Love this album. Great playing - great sound.

I took it to the local Audiophile HiFi store to test out a valve amp that I wanted to buy. It got the attention of everyone in the store - their jaws just dropped. It sounds amazing. I bought the amp. And the speakers !!

Average customer rating:

Cespedes and Rubalcaba interpreting Bola de Nieve
Grande Bola! Grande Francisco!
Really terrible

Con El Permiso De Bola
Francisco Céspedes & Gonzalo Rubalcaba
Manufacturer: Warner Music Latina
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Cuba | Caribbean & Cuba | International | Styles | Music

General | International | Styles | Music

General | Latin Music | Styles | Music

Latin Pop | Latin Music | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

Pedazos de Mi
En Primera Plana
Arturo Sandoval & the Latin Jazz Orchestra
Rumba Palace
United We Swing

ASIN: B000MTOL04
Release Date: 2007-02-27

Tracks:

Adios Felicidad
Vete De Mi
!Ay Amor!
La Flor De La Canela
No Dejes Que Te Olvide
Amna Mia
Drume Negrita
Tu Me Has De Querer
No Puedo Ser Feliz
Ausencia
Si Me Pudieras Querer
Bola De Nieva
Drume Negrita (con Bola de Nieve)

Amazon.com

Cuba's pianist/vocalist/composer Ignacio Villa (1911-1971), nicknamed Bola de Nieve (Snowball), was that country's combination of Fats Waller, Nat "King" Cole, and Frank Sinatra. He was a hit maker of enduring quality, and he created the jazz influenced Cuban ballad style known as filin (feeling). The Cuban-born, Mexico-based singer Francisco "Pancho" Cespedes, known for his 1997 hit CD Vida Loca, delivers a dancing, yet delicate tribute recording. Buoyed by a fantastic rhythm section featuring Blue Note drummer and pianist Ignacio Berroa and Gonzalo Rubalcaba, and bassist Carlos del Puerto, Cespedes' airy baritone blows a welcome breeze on selections penned and performed by Villa, from "Adios Felicidad (Goodbye Happiness)," to the waltzy "Flor de la Canela (Cinnamon Flower)." Cespedes wrote the suave Count Basie swing-like "Ausencia (absence)," but the CD's zenith is his sonically restored "duet" with Villa on "Drume Negrita (Sleep Little Black Baby)." One could say that the filin between Cepedes and Villa is mutual. --Eugene Holley, Jr.

Album Description

Produced by Jose Luis de la Pena (Alejandro Sanz, Miguel Bose) and Jacobo Calderon (Luis Miguel, Amaral, Nino Bravo).

Customer Reviews:

Cespedes and Rubalcaba interpreting Bola de Nieve.......2007-05-01

Bola de Nieve is the artist name of Ignacio Jacinto Villa (1931-1971). He was a pianist and singer, sort of a cuban Louis Armstrong. He would interpret latin ballads along with other international standards in his own style, mixing jazz and caribbean music in a very sentimental way. This recording brings together Cespedes on vocals and Rubalcaba on piano, to interpret the music of Bola. The quality of the recording is excellent and the performances of both artists are extraordinary. Together, they are able to capture and deliver Bola's feelings. I found particularly good the renderings of "Flor de la Canela" and "Drume Negrita", the latter in its modern version and in a "duet" mixing the vocals of Cespedes with Bola's old recordings. Rubalcaba's jazzy piano, which reminds of his collaboration with Charlie Haden in "Nocturne", rounds up an excellent album.

Grande Bola! Grande Francisco!.......2007-04-21

"Permiso concedido, mi querido Francisco" diría el Bola. Pocas voces hoy en día tendrían tremenda licencia. Francisco Céspedes no solo cuenta con un timbre distintivo, hermoso y original sino que respira puro filin al interpretar el bolero y ahora al rendir este finísimo homenaje. Con este disco, dudo que Francisco desee imitar, copiar o hacer mímica de uno de los artistas más complejos y sui géneris que parió Cuba.

El formato de arreglos instrumentales a cargo de Jacobo Calderón y del genio del piano, Gonzalito Rubalcaba, redondean la belleza vocal e interpretativa de Céspedes. Y por último, si no se nos llenan los ojitos de lágrimas al escuchar al dúo Bola/Francisco gracias a la magia de la tecnología, es que tenemos que afinar nuestros oídos.

Really terrible.......2007-03-17

Bola de Nieve was a good lounge singer, 50's style, from Cuba; he spoke his songs over music rather than singing them. Today his art sounds a little passé and unpolished, but if you are Cuban you still find something endearing in his old recordings... Poor Bola must be turning in his grave now that this awful CD is out. It's simply agonizing to hear, grating on the ear, appallingly unmelodical, with a maudlin style that's more psychotic than heartfel (which is not at all). Save your money and buy the real Bola de Nieve. You might like him.

Average customer rating:

Sublime
Wow!
Highly overrated
Beautiful trio album with a Latin flavor
Gonzalo, the best young musician to come along in over a de

The Blessing
Gonzalo Rubalcaba
Manufacturer: Blue Note Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Cuba | Caribbean & Cuba | International | Styles | Music

General | Caribbean & Cuba | International | Styles | Music

General | Latin Music | Styles | Music

Latin Pop | Latin Music | Styles | Music

Bebop General | Bebop | Jazz | Styles | Music

General | Jazz | Styles | Music

Latin Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music

Modern Postbebop | Jazz | Styles | Music

Blue Note Records | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music
Similar Items:

Discovery: Live at Montreux
Inner Voyage
Images
Solo
Supernova

ASIN: B000000W2X
Release Date: 1991-10-22

Tracks:

Circuito
Sandino
Besame Mucho
Giant Steps
Sin Remedio, El Mar
Silver Hollow
The Blessing
Blue In Green
Sinpunto Y Contracopa
Mima

Amazon.com

This was the first of Cuban pianist Gonzalo Rubalcaba's recordings to appear in the United States, and it's a stunning introduction to his work. He's more than ably supported by Charlie Haden and Jack DeJohnette, with Haden's fundamentalist approach to the bass acting as a secure anchor to Rubalcaba's frequent flights of virtuosity and DeJohnette's polyrhythmic approach. With his deep roots in the rhythmic language of Cuban music, Rubalcaba brings a subtle and complex pulse to even his most reflective moments at the keyboard. He's also rooted in some of the more adventurous paths that jazz took in the 1960s, as that stellar rhythm section would suggest. It shows in the original approaches that he finds to Coltrane's "Giant Steps," Bill Evans's "Blue in Green," and Ornette Coleman's "The Blessing." --Stuart Broomer

Customer Reviews:

Sublime.......2005-08-28

Surprised is how I felt when I first heard the music. It reminded me of some earlier sounds, strains of Thelonious Monk, Don Pullen and Cecil Taylor, although it diminishes the music to have to compare it to something else, doesn't it. If you don't like it, fine. But if you don't understand something, don't put it down. Any time musicians experiment with melody-rhythm-harmony, the first few hearings can be jarring. Who said you have to be able to snap your fingers for something to be good. Who said you have to be able to understand what the musicians are doing? Try opening your ears to a sound you aren't used to. It won't bite you. You don't have to be afraid, just listen.

Wow!.......2003-01-11

Lots of great technique *and* beautiful music, despite what other reviewers may say. The opening statement in CIRCUITO is pretty jarring and may strike some listeners as being nonmusical, but it's actually pretty similar to the unaccompanied jags Brad Mehldau occassionally takes, a little chaos before the return of order. Includes some really beautiful readings of SANDINO, SILVER HOLLOW, BLUE IN GREEN, among others. I got this two months ago and have been listening to it as much all my other CDs combined. Really outstanding jazz.

Highly overrated.......2001-03-09

There has been much fuss during the past years about this cuban pianist. If it is chops that you're after - you've got it. On the other hand, if you're looking for music - turn elsewhere. Chops are what this guy is all about. Techniquely he is truly awesome, but he doesn't really have the faintest clue about the aesthetics of jazz music. The word "groove" cannot even be used in this context, since Gonzalo has no idea of how to swing in a jazz-like manner. His typewriter-like phraziation sounds hysterical as he rushes the time like crazy. Harmonically he makes a huge fool of himself in "Giant Steps", where most of the notes he plays are total garbage and have nothing to do with the chord changes. If you really do want to listen to mr. Rubalcapa, my suggestion is that you try out some of his earlier stuff where he operates in a more latin-american context.

Beautiful trio album with a Latin flavor.......2000-05-04

This album features Jack Dejohnette on drums and Charlie Haden on bass along with Rubalcaba. The music doesn't groove as hard as "Inner Voyage," but the music has lyrical quality. Check out versions of Ornette Coleman's "The Blessing" and Coltrane's "Giant Steps."

Gonzalo, the best young musician to come along in over a de.......2000-04-13

Gonzalo Rubalcaba is the best I've heard in quite some time. I am a jazz pianist with five CD's in the stores and on Amazon. If you haven't heard Gonzalo, you are really missing out on greatness. Gonzalo will be around for a very long time. I had the pleasure of hearing him at syphony hall here in Chicago and he blew me away.

Average customer rating:

Solo
Gonzalo Rubalcaba
Manufacturer: Blue Note Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Cuba | Caribbean & Cuba | International | Styles | Music

General | Caribbean & Cuba | International | Styles | Music

General | Latin Music | Styles | Music

Latin Pop | Latin Music | Styles | Music

Bebop General | Bebop | Jazz | Styles | Music

General | Jazz | Styles | Music

Latin Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music

Modern Postbebop | Jazz | Styles | Music

Blue Note Records | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music
Similar Items:

In Amsterdam: Live at the Bimhuis
Time Lines
Zep Tepi
One
Bebo

ASIN: B000EBDAB6
Release Date: 2006-03-07

Tracks:

Rezo (Praise Be!)
Quasar
Silencio (Silence)
Paseo Iluminado
Cancion para Dormir en el Sillon (Lullaby)
Paseo en Media Luz
Cancion de Cunz del Nino Negro (Lullaby for a Black Child)
Faro (Beacon)
Paseo azul
Sueno de Munecas (Dream of the Dolls)
Paseo Morado
Prologo (Prologue to a Fantasy)
Here's That Rainy Day
Nightfall
Besame Mucho (instrumental)

Amazon.com

"I felt the necessity to create an album of secrets, letters and notes, and photos. Something like an aural diary," writes Cuban pianist Gonzalo Rubalcaba in the liner notes of Solo, his first proper solo effort in two decades. Indeed, much of the disc plays like a hushed homage to moods, thoughts, feelings, and ideas, anchored by Rubalcaba richly emotive piano work. The pianist earned much of his acclaim via collaborations with groups and has worked with bassists Charlie Haden, Ron Carter and saxophonist Joe Lovano. Solo, however, finds Rubalcaba soaring on the strength of his own talent. Kick-off interlude "Rezo (Praise Be)" is based on Afro-Cuban melodies sung during Santeria rites, and "Silencio" is a moving bolero tribute. Rubalcaba has include material here that he has previously recorded--including the standard "Besame Mucho"--but he reworks it, giving the songs a fresh urgency. Solo also includes four improvisations ("Paseo Iluminado," "Paseo en Media Luz," "Paseo Azul" and "Paseo Morado") that mark the passing of a single day via environmental light. That free-form quartet was inspired by John Coltrane's "Giant Steps," but Rubalcaba manages to make them, and the rest of Solo, a wholly unique experience. --Joey Guerra

Average customer rating:

10-star CD
Charlie Haden-Montreal Tapes with Gonzalo Rubalcaba

Montreal Tapes with Gonzalo Rubalcaba
Charlie Haden & Gonzalo Rubalcaba
Manufacturer: Polygram Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Cuba | Caribbean & Cuba | International | Styles | Music

Latin Pop | Latin Music | Styles | Music

Avant Garde & Free Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music

Bebop General | Bebop | Jazz | Styles | Music

General | Jazz | Styles | Music

Latin Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music

Modern Postbebop | Jazz | Styles | Music

Bebop & Post-Bop | Compilations | Jazz | Styles | Music

General | Live Albums | Jazz | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

Discovery: Live at Montreux
Solo
Images
Nocturne
Montreal Tapes, Vol. 1

ASIN: B0000047F1
Release Date: 1998-01-27

Tracks:

Vignette
Bay City
La Pasionaria
Silence
The Blessing
Solar

Customer Reviews:

10-star CD.......2006-09-11

I can't possibly count the number of times I've listened to this CD. The only way it could be topped would be to have been at the live performance. This is as good as it gets in jazz- three master musicians playing with passion, full command of their instruments and a perfect blend of sounds. Haden's SILENCE is one of his signature pieces that has the clarity of a true artist at his most contempletive. Rubalcalba's fire cannot be contained and Motian's solo on Haden's PASIONARIA will pin you back in your seat. Buy it, play it, love it. What more can I say?

Charlie Haden-Montreal Tapes with Gonzalo Rubalcaba.......2000-05-17

This recording is a breakthough album. Even for all three seasoned players. Motian and Haden have always had a way of working their magic into other peoples playing, instead of leading or falling off into silence like many drummers and bassists do. On this recording they do all the interplay of any remarkeable trio, but with virtuosity never before accomplished.Gonzalo is also incredible and adds hauting and gut wrenching beauty and power. This album reaches the high standard only accomplished thus far by a rare set of recordings by the Bill Evans and Keith Jarrett trios. I definitely reccomend this album to anyone with a good ear for piano jazz, or anyone looking to get hooked.

Average customer rating:

A Piano Tour de Force!
Astonishing debut
Awesome Recording

Discovery: Live at Montreux
Gonzalo Rubalcaba
Manufacturer: Blue Note Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Cuba | Caribbean & Cuba | International | Styles | Music

General | Latin Music | Styles | Music

Latin Pop | Latin Music | Styles | Music

General | Jazz | Styles | Music

Latin Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music

Blue Note Records | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music

General | Jazz | Indie Music | Stores | Music

Brazilian & Latin Jazz | Jazz | Indie Music | Stores | Music

International Jazz | Jazz | Indie Music | Stores | Music

Caribbean & Cuba | International | Indie Music | Stores | Music
Similar Items:

Images
Solo
The Blessing
Montreal Tapes with Gonzalo Rubalcaba
Supernova

ASIN: B000000W2W
Release Date: 1991-03-26

Tracks:

Well You Needn't
Velas
Prologo Comienzo
First Song
Once Around The Park
Joao
All The Things You Are

Customer Reviews:

A Piano Tour de Force!.......2004-06-19

It's hard to believe that this CD was released in 1991, as I listen to it now (2004) it seems like I just brought it yesterday. Thats how you know that you have a brillant piece of music. Almost 14 years old and you can still find something fresh about this amazing performance. In my opinion it is one of the best piano performances of all time, and mind you this is a trio date with the great charlie haden and paul motian who are icons in the field of jazz, but Mr. Rubalacaba could have been playing with Ben&Jerry and you would still walk away shaking your head at his total command of the Piano. The cuban pianist(Rubalcaba, Valdes etc...) bring a fresh and exciting rhythmic concept to the piano that really exposes it as a percussion instrument. This is a must hear for any piano enthusiast, jazz or classical.

Astonishing debut.......2003-04-04

Rubalcaba is an overwhelming talent, and this, one of his earliest CD's, is a blistering assault on the jazz piano tradition--especially witness "Well, You Needn't," and "All the Things You Are." His insistence on using every color on the palette at once makes for difficult listening at times, but the extra effort is worth it, because Rubalcaba is more than just another virtuoso: his playing combines the thoughtfulness of Keith Jarrett with the unrelenting attack of Cecil Taylor (if Taylor played tonal music, that is).

Awesome Recording.......2000-10-16

This disk explodes out of the gates and does not let up. Gonzolo shows respect for jazz while infusing it with his own Cuban touch. He has a powerful even muscular technique that works very well on these compositions. Some people may complain of too many notes but I really have to disagree. This is exciting music to listen to. He stretches out with some real flurries of notes and has fun with it. I love this disk!

Average customer rating:

Pure brilliant!!!
Don't believe everything you read!
first impressions aren't always correct
brilliant
Misguided Effort Results in 5* Turkey!

Supernova
Gonzalo Rubalcaba
Manufacturer: Blue Note Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Cuba | Caribbean & Cuba | International | Styles | Music

General | Latin Music | Styles | Music

Latin Pop | Latin Music | Styles | Music

Bebop General | Bebop | Jazz | Styles | Music

General | Jazz | Styles | Music

Latin Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music

Modern Postbebop | Jazz | Styles | Music

Blue Note Records | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music

General | Jazz | Indie Music | Stores | Music

Brazilian & Latin Jazz | Jazz | Indie Music | Stores | Music

International Jazz | Jazz | Indie Music | Stores | Music

Caribbean & Cuba | International | Indie Music | Stores | Music
Similar Items:

Images
Discovery: Live at Montreux
Diz
The Blessing
Paseo

ASIN: B00005LKBX
Release Date: 2001-07-17

Tracks:

Supernova 1
The Constitutional Cadet
Soul Of Mine
The Voice In Between
The Peanut Vendor
Supernova 2
Another View
The Hard One (Trio Version)
Pray

Amazon.com

During his career, the talented Cuban-born, Florida-based pianist Gonzalo Rubalcaba has played with the greatest jazz stars, including Dizzy Gillespie, Joe Lovano, and Charlie Haden. This CD, featuring longtime band mate and drummer Ignacio Berroa, bassist Carlos Henriquez, and percussionists Luis and Robert Quintero, highlights his highly evolved take on North American swing, with its dashes of his island homeland's rich Afro-Cuban musical traditions. Rubalcaba's syncopated synthesis of Liszt, Chopin, Wynton Kelly, and the clave swings easily between Cuban and U.S. musical ports-of-call. The leader's two takes of the title composition demonstrate his ease at improvising at top speed in tricky binary and tertiary time signatures. He reincarnates the old Cuban boleros "Alma Mia" into the American ballad form, and he slips John Phillip Sousa's "Stars and Stripes Forever" into his grandfather's danzon, "El Cadete." The hit tune "El Manicero (The Peanut Vendor)" is reinvigorated by Berroa's mambo cross-rhythms, Henriquez's Big Apple bass lines, and Rubalcaba's terrific tumbao breakdowns. Gonzalo Rubalcaba plays piano like a drummer and on the synth-laden, drum-featured "Orem (Pray)" he also plays congas, showcasing another aspect of his groundbreaking creativity. --Eugene Holley Jr.

Customer Reviews:

Pure brilliant!!!.......2003-07-20

Excellent CD. I purchased Supernova and Nocturne (Haden & Rubalcaba) and I prefer the former. It's diversity and the inner harmony makes listening a pure pleasure. Supernova and Oro are my favourite tracks.
Strongly recommended.

Don't believe everything you read!.......2002-11-20

...P>This is an excellent CD by one of the most talented pianists in jazz. Melodic and beautiful but easily complex enough to reward repeated listenings.

first impressions aren't always correct.......2002-08-22

When first putting this CD into the player and hearing the first dissonant, disjointed chords, I thought that I had wasted my money in purchasing this recording. The longer I listened, however, the more the music appealed to me, and I found myself actually enjoying the music during the second listening.
Rubalcaba's immense talent and range are evident throughout the recording, and that makes the CD even more worth buying and listening to.

brilliant.......2001-11-05

(...) How bizarre that (educated listeners) can hear this album and be unaware of it's sheer absolute brilliance. Perhaps (they) couldn't hear hear the perfect sense of time, or the inventive harmonies or the sheer originality of every tune(including The peanut vendor) albeit an old standard but never done better than it is here. To sum up, this album is near perfect and to compare it to Gonzalos' previous releases (as some of the other reviewers have done)is to do it a very unfair and unjustified disservice.

Misguided Effort Results in 5* Turkey!.......2001-10-28

A hugely disappointing production from the otherwise highly regarded Rubalcaba. Can this really be the same man who worked to such good effect with Charlie Haden on "Nocturne"?

This CD is based on such weak material that after initially auditioning it (I wouldn't pass comment on any music without first listening to it at least ten times) I have left it well alone.

The reason? Well, Mr Rubalcaba may be an excellent pianist but he needs solid material to work with. The material here is exceptionally weak and uses compositions such as the overused "The Peanut Vendor" without adding anything new in the interpretation. Really, we can do without this - it is neither pushing forward the boundaries or redoing what already exists in a valid way. If Mr Rubalcaba wants to set himself up as a sort of cliched, bargain-basement Cuban rent-a-pianist then he is going the right way about it. He should know better.

Tracks:

Rumbero
Proyecto Latino Part I, II, III, IV
Encuentro
Giraldilla
Presidente
Campo Finda
Comienzo

Average customer rating:

Gonzalo Rubalcaba
Gonzalo Rubalcaba
Manufacturer: Max Music
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Cuba | Caribbean & Cuba | International | Styles | Music

General | Latin Music | Styles | Music

Bebop General | Bebop | Jazz | Styles | Music

General | Jazz | Styles | Music

Latin Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music

Modern Postbebop | Jazz | Styles | Music

Bebop & Post-Bop | Compilations | Jazz | Styles | Music
ASIN: B00000DD96
Release Date: 1998-10-06

Tracks:

Mambo Influenciado
My Funny Valentine
A Night In Tunisia
Regreso Feliz
Rapsodia Espanola
Little Walter

Average customer rating:

A Carnival of styles and endlessly complex rhythms.
SUCKS!!!!
Awwwwww
insane chops but little artistry
Weather Report: foggy and cloudy

Antiguo
Gonzalo Rubalcaba
Manufacturer: Blue Note Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Cuba | Caribbean & Cuba | International | Styles | Music

General | Latin Music | Styles | Music

Latin Pop | Latin Music | Styles | Music

Bebop General | Bebop | Jazz | Styles | Music

General | Jazz | Styles | Music

Latin Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music

Modern Postbebop | Jazz | Styles | Music

Bebop & Post-Bop | Compilations | Jazz | Styles | Music

Blue Note Records | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music

General | Jazz | Indie Music | Stores | Music

Brazilian & Latin Jazz | Jazz | Indie Music | Stores | Music

International Jazz | Jazz | Indie Music | Stores | Music

Caribbean & Cuba | International | Indie Music | Stores | Music
Similar Items:

Diz
Rapsodia
Suite 4 Y 20
Love Walked In
Live in Havana

ASIN: B00000DMP6
Release Date: 1998-11-17

Tracks:

Opening
Circuito III
Ellioko (Yoruba Word For 'Two')
Desierto
Intermitencia
Coral Negro
Circuito IV
Oddi Lobbe
Eshun Agwe (Yoruba word for 'Party')
Homenaje
Closing

Amazon.com

In the notes for Antiguo, Cuban pianist Gonzalo Rubalcaba talks of nothing less than creating a new, "universal language." For this, and using both acoustic and electronic instruments (mostly synthesizers, samplers, and sequencers), Rubalcaba delves into Afro-Cuban religious tradition, jazz, and European classical music. The result, an 11-piece suitelike work, does not match the ambition. Rubalcaba has long been afflicted by a certain aesthetics of excess, and Antiguo is no exception. There are intriguing ideas throughout, and Rubalcaba is--no argument here--a remarkable player. But his everything-and-the-kitchen-sink approach produces diminishing returns. Pieces such as "Ellioko," featuring santeria master singer Lazaro Ros, or "Coral Negro," a sort of Lukas Ligeti-goes-Hollywood cut, are intriguing ideas finally weighed down by overelaboration and pretentiousness. The neurotic energy of pieces such as the knotty "Circuito III," "Intermitencia," or "Eshun Agwe" offer little relief. Less would be more indeed. --Fernando Gonzalez

Customer Reviews:

A Carnival of styles and endlessly complex rhythms........2007-07-13

It's rather befitting that Rubalcaba starts and ends this disc with carnival-esque snippets. In many ways this reminds me of early Greg Osby; throwing in so many great ideas that it often ends up bogged down. Both "Circuito" songs veer into Morton Subotnick meets Cecil Taylor territory; that is to say they're closer to Modern Avante Garde Classical music than Latin or Jazz. Another set of songs are those that fall under the heading trance-like-ambient-synth-scapes-with-polyrhythmic-percussion; "Coral Negro" and "Desierto" (which sounds; like Sting scored a mushroom trip). Then there's the similar instrumentation and feeling on "Oddi Lobbe" which reminds one of Riuchi Sakamoto, and to some degree again with "Eshun Agwe" which is composed of full-on Latino bailar rhythms, a distant rave-whistle sample and a terribly 80s keyboard (my vote along with "Coral Negro" for the clunkers). "Ellioko" has Lazaro Ros' vocal as a gorgeous jumping off point that synth and drums work from and against at their whim; feeling very much like Peter Gabriel versus Tortoise. The songs most Jazz fans will recognize and feel comfortable with are "Intermitencia" and "Homenaje," which along with the "Circuito"s are challenging, but worthy fusions of many styles. A spotty album for Rubalcaba fans only (or if you're SO into drums you can block out the synth). Will someone at Blue Note buy this man a decent keyboard please; he was still playing it on his 2005 album! If your friend has a booger hangin off you should tell him, and somebody needs to break the news to Gonzalo; "My man, that synth ain't hip and it's killin the songs."

SUCKS!!!!.......2007-06-06

My second Rubalcaba cd and my last. To my musical taste, music should be melodic and as far as I am concerned this is far from it. Talent? Yeah, he has ability but no taste. As a Cuban musician I was terribly dissapointed. If you want to hear Cuban piano at his best do yourself a favor and buy a cd from Chucho Valdes, Peruchin, Frank Emilio, Ruben Gonzalez, etc. but stay away from this one.

Awwwwww.......2006-11-09

I can not be more agreeing with Mark Holston, of JAZZIZ Magazine and than man himself that "his long-stated belief that Afro-Cuban rhythms and other Latin American idioms are key parts of a new, universal music language that has yet to be written". About time, I say. I'm neither African nor Latin, so no bias here. I've discovered this album simply by knowing it was inspiration to Dennis Chambers, a world-renowned drummer extraordinaire, and besides the drumming part the actual compositions that what got me going here. Sure, he sounds like Chick here and there and then some, but you can't deny this guy has his own voice and that is exactly what I'm constantly looking for new musical experience - a new voice that can give me goose bumps and aural satisfaction. Definitely will buy more music from this artist.

insane chops but little artistry.......2004-06-05

Gonzalo Rubalcaba and all his cuban frinds were born with inhuman abilities to play fast and unnecessaritly complicated music. If that statement sounds intriguing then look into this cd. But if you can not stand cheesy synthesizers, truly unforgettable ballads, and marathon ensemble pieces, then stay away from this guy. His fusion style is simply not good. The keyboard sounds are out of date for this late of a recording, and unbelievable ensemble work wears thin when you have to wade through half an hour of it to hear a meaningful piano solo. he best tracks are near the end, especially Homenaje, with its complicated beat and great acoustic piano solo. It has all the world music of the rest of the album, but the balance between ensemble work and improvisation, as well as the halway coherent rhythmic structure, make you wish that the rest of the cd was more like that.

Weather Report: foggy and cloudy.......2000-11-02

I recently discovered Rubalcaba through Blessings, which is a five star recording without question. I was therefore hugely disappointed to discover that Antiguo is mostly a rehash of Fusionist ideas that I, at least, associate with the music of Joe Zawinal and Jan Hammer from the early seventies. There seemed nothing new, and a great deal that was merely silly, overblown, and vapid in this recording. If you feel like buying it, get in touch with me -- I'll gladly sell you mine.

Latin Music:

Latin Music

latin music

Recommended Music:

Optometry [Limited Edition]

Vivaldi: Four Seasons; Bach: Brandeburg Concerto No. 3; Pachelbel: Canon

Wrong Side of The Law

Back from Havana

We Were Soldiers [Soundtrack]

Yvanna

WOW The 90's: 30 Top Christian Songs of the Decade

Who Else

X.Y.Z. Alive [Import]

Violin Concerto / Cello Concerto

Weird Revolution [Enhanced] [Explicit Lyrics]

Whole Story: His Greatest Hits

WIcked 4 Eva

Rolling with the Blues

Complete Recordings of Sam Cooke with the Soul Stirrers