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Si Para Usted

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Psychedelic mambo from Cuba is featured in our Global Hit today. Anchor Marco Werman tells us about the second volume of music to be released by the band Orquesta Cubana de Musica Moderna. Download MP3

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MARCO WERMAN: It’s a hard fact to face but while the end of summer doesn’t officially get here for another two weeks this – the week before Labor Day and the rush back to everything we usually do – is really the last week of summer. So let’s not waste the feeling. For the late summer here’s a very groovy dose of new music – well actually old music.

[MUSIC]

The song “Vehicle” was a 1970 one-hit wonder for the band The Ides of March. But shortly after it was a hit the tune was re-imagined in Cuba by Orquesta Cubana de Musica Moderna. This is one of the gems in the just-released second volume of the ear-popping compilation Si Para Usted.

[MUSIC]

You suddenly realize that the Ides of March were as influenced by Latin rhythms as the Orquesta Cubana de Musica Moderna was influenced by what was happening on Miami radio stations. That doesn’t mean that hip Cuban musicians looking to establish their own early ‘70s psychedelic scene completely abandoned their Afro-Cuban roots. Case in point, the 1929 Cuban slow dance number “Siboney” had been recorded countless times by various musicians. Also in 1929, band leader Eddy Gaytan was born. And when the ‘70s hit Gaytan was arranging for a band called Los Llamas – the llamas – and he went back to “Siboney.” But you’ve never heard it quite like this. Classic Cuban bolero meets a trippy wah-wah vibe of Question Mark and the Mysterians.

[MUSIC]

When the first volume of “Si Para Usted” came out two years ago psychedelic mumbo was a mind-boggling discovery for me opening up a world of Cuban music that had been sealed off for years by the economic embargo. It also made my top-ten list that year. Volume two pulls off the same trick.

[MUSIC]

The disk is entitled “Si Para Usted Volume 2.” We’re online with more information at The World dot org. From the Nan and Bill Harris Studios at WGBH I’m Marco Werman. Thanks for listening.

[MUSIC]

MAN: The World’s global hit podcast is brought to you by the Medtronic Foundation supporting the American pain Foundation’s efforts to help the more than 76 million Americans living with pain to speak up, speak out, and take action for better pain care. Learn more at Medtronic Foundation dot org.

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