Record Boy Ink:

Picture yourself on an island. Palm trees swaying in a gentle breeze while the sun beams down on the warm, pale blue ocean waters. There you sit with a cool tropical drink in your hand while you listen to a languid but sultry beat that conjures up a raven haired native beauty rolling her shoulders in time to the music with her hypnotic eyes fixed on yours, while she slowly reaches out to… wait a minute… what the heck was I talking about??

Oh Yeah…sorry. I have been listening a lot to Ibrahim Ferrer’s new album (World Circuit/Nonesuch). Ferrer of course is one of the older Cuban musicians rediscovered by Ry Cooder as part of his Buena Vista Social Club project. Cooder calls Ferrer Cuba’s Nat King Cole, while others refer to him as Cuba’s Frank Sinatra. My feeling is that unless he’s got connections to the Mob or punches people out in restaurants, the Cole comparison makes more sense. Ferrer is not a baritone and like the serene jazzman Cole, improvises effortlessly. Seeing Wim Wender’s Buena Vista Social Club documentary helped attach a person to the voice. Mr. Ferrer turns out to be as charming as his musical persona.

Ibrahim is backed once more by most of the same incredible musicians who made up the Buena Vista Social Club project including the sublime pianist Ruben Gonzalez, trumpeter extraordinare Manuel Mirabil, bassist Orlando Lopez and guitarist Manuel Galban. Ferrer does a spirited duet with Teresa Garcia Caturla on "Marieta" and a moving one with Omara Portuondo on "Silencio." The twenty one piece orchestra on this record faithfully recreates Cuba’s big band music from the forties, though many different styles of Cuban music are represented on this disc including son-guaguancos, boleros, and guajiras. The music is stirring and powerful throughout and ferrer’s voice, fluid and supple, is always the focal point of each track. Ry Cooder not only handles production chores but plays slide guitar as well. This however is by no means a Ry Cooder album!

Record Boy listened and enjoyed this album for weeks before he finally gave in and read the English translation to the lyrics. I mean, I figured with my rudimentary knowledge of Spanish, I got the gist of each song, y’know; partying, dancing, courting etc. Have to admit before reading the english lyrics… I didn’t have a clue as to the depth and poetry of many of the songs. The fact is that Ibrahim ferrer transcends any language barrier. This is one of those rare records that can be enjoyed at many different levels.

Put it on and make up your own story!