1. Distinto, Diferente - Afro-Cuban All Stars, Gonzales, Juan DeMa
2. Tumba Palo Cocuyé - Afro-Cuban All Stars, Montuno
3. Tributo al Niño Rivera - Afro-Cuban All Stars, Hechevarria, Andres
4. Reconciliation - Afro-Cuban All Stars, Gonzalez, Juan de M
5. Variaciones Sobre un Tema Desconocido - Afro-Cuban All Stars,
6. Al Vaivén de Mi Carreta (To the Rocking of My Cart) - Afro-Cuban All Stars,
7. Gandinga, Mondongo y Sandunga - Afro-Cuban All Stars, Flynn, Frank Emilio
8. Huellas del Pasado - Afro-Cuban All Stars,
9. Warariansa - Afro-Cuban All Stars,
10. Homenaje a Martha Valdés - Afro-Cuban All Stars, Liora
Amazon.com
With a debut as smashing as their 1997 A Toda Cuba Le Gusta, the Afro Cuban All Stars would have to hit on all cylinders to not fall short on their sophomore effort. Alas, they don't hit the high marks that seemed so effortless on their debut, heading away from the earthy, complex body of emotions their horns carried and towards a style that reaches unabashedly for pop audiences. Of course, the pop audiences they address are old world enough to like their flute solos to be bombarded by big brass riffs and set off by crooning, sweet vocals. This brings up a key point: even a disappointing album by the likes of the Afro Cuban All Stars is better than most of what makes the airwaves, from Havana to Miami to Montreal. Aside from the more obviously polished elements, there are lots of traces of the band's debut, with the timeworn playing--especially on piano and percussion--sounding both overly commercial and terrifically organic. On many of these tunes, the cleanness of the sound draws the ear away from the music and towards the sonic varnish, the crystal clarity that in many cases would be cause for celebration. Here, it urges the side-by-side inspection of A Toda Cuba Le Gusta and Distinto, Diferente, the latter title signaling that the band has sought another terrain, maybe that commanded by Los Van Van prior to the rise of the Buena Vista Social Club and its roster of stars. --Andrew Bartlett
Album Details
On the Follow-up to their Largely Successful 1997 Debut 'a Todo Cuba Le Gusta', the all Stars Don't Just Pick Up Where They Left off -- They Bring Something Distinct, Different. These Grooves Are Designed for Listeners who Want to Dance! features Thetitle Track, 'tumbo Palo Cocuye', 'homenaje a Martha Valdes' and Seven More.
|
Distinto Diferente
- Audio CD: 0 pages (1999-11-23)
- Publisher: Nonesuch
- Label: Nonesuch
- Studio: Nonesuch
- Average Customer Review:
 based on 13 reviews
- Sales Rank in Music: #35682
Avg. Customer Review:
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful:
Customer Rating: 
Summary: Muy bueno 2007-06-12
Comment: Se mantiene el timbre del Son Cubano intacto pero en algunas de sus canciones la letra haciendo alegorias a la dichosa revolucion extravia un poco la excelente calidad del Disco.
3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
Customer Rating:
Summary: Excellent and different 2004-08-22
Comment: This is simply wonderful music. I consider the first Afro-Cuban All Star album, A Todo Cuba Le Gusta, to be one of my all time favorites. After the close of the first track on A Todo Cuba Le Gusta, I was asking myself, Where have you been all my life? I had no clue that I liked Cuban music but this is just amazing and it made me want more!
I don't feel quite that way about this album. It is a touch less fiery and a wee bit closer to mainstream tastes but believe me, there is nothing mainstream about it. The musicianship is fabulous despite the stylistic change. It is well worth buying and a great introduction to Cuban music.
If you are new to Cuban music and your tastes lean toward the metallic side of rock, you might enjoy the first album more. If you enjoy things a bit calmer than a frenzy but want still plenty of excitement, try this one!
4 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
Customer Rating:
Summary: Muy caliente! 2002-11-10
Comment: Pure magic, my dear ladies and gentlemen, pure magic. I smell cigar smoke whenever I go past the CD tower.
2 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
Customer Rating:
Summary: A ton of fun 2001-09-14
Comment: Lively, brassy, fun. An excellent follow-up to their first album. Get both.
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
Customer Rating:
Summary: Hot, Spicy, Fun! 2001-07-29
Comment: This music is absolutely addicting! Great to listen to while whipping up dinner or whatever else. However, DO NOT LISTEN TO THIS WHILE DRIVING! You won't be able to sit still and you and your car will be dancing all over the road. I can't wait to hear more from this very talented, sexy, and lively bunch!
|
Distinto Diferente
Enlarge View