Putumayo Presents: Cafe Cubano

New York, NY (Top40 Charts/ Putumayo World Music) - This album features a selection of exceptional performers who have incorporated Cuba's diverse musical traditions and distinctive styles into their music.

Several of the songs feature influences from the 'nueva trova' movement, in which lyrical poetry is joined with Pan-American folk traditions. Others remain true to the sultry guajiras, romantic boleros and traditional sones which were the underpinning of the renowned Buena Vista Social Club recordings. Cuban music traces its roots back to the melodies of Europe and the rhythms of Africa, and the inspiring blend that resulted from years of interaction between these diverse cultures.

While many of these artists are legends at home, the collection includes several who are virtually unknown outside of Cuba. Pedro Luis Ferrer has been writing and performing since the mid 1960's and remains an inspiration for younger generations of musicians. Felix Baloy came to fame in the 1970s as the lead vocalist for Son 14, Orquesta Reve and other seminal ensembles. Armando Garzon, the Cuban-based tenor known by many as 'The Black Angel with the Velvet Voice' specializes in the romantic ballads of the 1950s. The collection also features seven other noteworthy musicians who record and perform Cuban music in Havana and beyond.

Cafe Cubano is the follow up to Putumayo's best-selling album, Cuba, and is the third release in Putumayo's successful Cafe series which also includes French Cafe and Italian Cafe.