# Chucho Valdes & Irakere – A 2-CD Retrospective 2019: Video, CD cover

- Link: https://jazzblues.eu/2019/06/23/chucho-valdes-irakere-a-2-cd-retrospective-2019-video-cd-cover/
- Published: 2019-06-23T19:13:07+01:00
- Author: https://JazzBlues.EU

**While you might have to wait until “My Reverie” on Disc Two to experience the 
full virtuosity of leader and pianist Chucho Valdés, it’s worth the wait. This 2-
retrospective disc set of music is primarily a celebration of the music of Irakere
the iconic Cuban band that was formed by the maestro himself, Chucho Valdes in 1973.**

The band took its name from the word itself which meant “thick, dense jungle” in
the Lucumi dialect of Yoruba. The music subsumed Jazz, Western European Classical
music, together with music popular in the United States at the time, which was rock,
funk of the day in the USA into its authentic Afro-Caribbean roots; its music evolving
into a potent mix of Afro-Cuban music that later morphed – at least for a time –
into a joyful, timba-playing dance band that also found a way to mix electronics
into traditional Afro-Caribbean when few musicians even dared contemplate this.

The band really exploded onto the international music scene spawning superstars 
wherever it played, beginning with Mr Valdés himself, who came with a rich pedigree
of being the son of the great Bebo Valdés, one of the greatest ever Afro-Cubans 
who led pioneering big bands in Cuba before first disappearing and then reappearing
in Europe. The band also boasted such virtuoso musicians as clarinetist and alto
saxophonist Paquito D’Rivera, trumpeter Arturo Sandoval both of whom who bewitched
Dizzy Gillespie to such an extent that he lured then (fairly easily, it would appear)
out of Cuba and into his own iconic United Nation Orchestra. Also making a name 
for themselves as musicians were saxophonist Carlos Averhoff and bassist Carlos 
Del Puerto. But there was also rhythmic momentum that drove the relentless energy
of the band’s music, and this was provided by a battery of percussionists led by
drummers Enrique Plá and Bernardo García.

All of these musicians and a legion of Irakere alumni are heard on this 2-disc set.
It may be a compilation of music fueled by the vision and artistry of Chucho Valdés,
but it is brought to life by a host of virtuoso musicians who not only bought into
this vision, but were able to bring it to life in music that “rocks” with visceral
energy and excitement. All of this echoes throughout the music. The repertoire has
been chosen from various periods in the bands existence up to 2006 when the disc
was released in Cuba. If there are perceived gaps, this may be put down to the fact
that the disc is now dated. The band continues to exist and its personnel have changed
several times since the original members folded things in after Paquito D’Rivera
and Arturo Sandoval relocated to the United States. A brand new incarnation appeared
during the 1990’s and was led by the piano-playing son of Chucho Valdés, Chuchito.

Sadly this package – though brimful with glorious music – will be a disappointment
to the serious fan of Afro-Cuban music and Irakere’s legacy in particular. Despite
a fine booklet essay that traces the band’s importance and its success there is 
no biographical and discographical information contained in the package. Things 
might change, however, as Sony has now taken over the Egrem catalogue and so hopefully
more music that fuels the hunger among aficionados of modern Afro-Cuban music – 
including from the vaults of Irakere – will be released in the not-too-distant future.
Until then there is ample time to enjoy this 2-Disc volume basking in the brilliance
of its music which is a vivid storehouse not only of Chucho Valdés’ music, but also
of performances – like that on “Estela va a Estallar” which features wonderful soloing
from Paquito D’Rivera in addition to some exquisite ensemble playing from the rest
of the brass and woodwinds sections; as well as the percussion colourists who also
helped sculpt this powerful and beautiful music.

**Track list** – **Disc One – **1: Misaluba; 2: Quindiambo; 3: Por Romper El Coco;
4: Dile A Catalina; 5: Que Se Sepa, Yo Soy De La Habana; 6: Los Caramelos; 7: Homenaje
A Benny Moré; 8: Boliviana; 9: Por Culpa Del Guao; 10: Feliz Cumpleaños. **Disc 
Two – **1: My Reverie; 2: Danza Ñañiga; 3: Misa Negra; 4: La Comparsa; 5: Los Ojos
De Pepa; 6: La Vida Es Un Sueño; 7: Estela Va A Estallar; 8: Tierra En Trance; 9:
A Chano Pozo; 10: San Francisco

**Personnel** (participating from the following musicians) – **Chucho Valdés:** 
piano, organ, keyboards and musical director; **Carlos Emilio Morales:** guitar;**
Jorge Varona:** trumpet and valve trombone; **Arturo Sandoval:** trumpet; **José
Luis Cortés:** flutes and vocals; **Carlos Averhoff:** soprano and tenor saxophone,
bass clarinet and flute; **Paquito D’Rivera:** soprano, alto and baritone saxophones,
clarinet and flute; **Carlos Emilio Morales:** alto saxophone; **Carlos del Puerto:**
bass and tuba; **Juan Formell:** bass; **Bernardo García:** drums and percussion;**
Enrique Pla:** drums; **Carlos Barbón:** percussion; **Jorge Alfonso:** tumba and
percussion; **Jorge Varona:** percussion; **Oscar Valdés:** tumba, bongo (paila)
and percussion; **Carlos Barbón** guiro, shekere and tambourine; **David Calzado**
vocals; **Pachito Alonso** additional keyboards and backing vocals; various vocalists
and other musicians not listed.

![Image result for Chucho Valdés & Irakere: A 2-CD Retrospective](https://i0.wp.
com/latinjazznet.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Chucho-Vald%C3%A9s-Irakere-300x300.
jpg?resize=300%2C300&ssl=1)

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