MALECON SOCIAL CLUB (Obsesion)

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Rodovaldo Suarez y Jesus Crus "Si tu no Estuvieras"
Listening to this CD is like taking a slow, breezy afternoon walk down Havana's famed El Malecon boulevard. It combines Cubans Rodovaldo Suarez and the multitalented Jesus Cruz, who plays piano, guitar, harmonica and trumpet, of the Malecon Social Club. These two blind musicians make their duo debut here, with Cruz's arrangements breathing a silky finesse and life into Suarez's sultry love songs. The music stays close to the tradition started by the Buena Vista Social Club in honoring the Cuban song form. But it does so with a mellow approach, with flecks and hints of pop inflection seeping through many of the melodies.
The opening track, "Sitiera," is the standout on the CD, with its sultry trumpet and piano arrangement setting the stage for Suarez's reedy but soulfully hypnotic voice. Suarez and Cruz are content in letting the music speak for itself. There are no conga solos here, nor are there riotous dance numbers. Instead we get heartfelt songs like the alluring "Que se yo" which offers tasty harmonizing between Suarez and vocalist Lucy Anaya Escalona. This is smooth, optimistic and rich traditional music.