Septeto Habanero – Celebrando sus 80 años (Lusafrica, 2000)
The words of the first track (‘Orgullo de los soneros’ or ‘Pride of the soneros – i.e. son players’) say the essential (roughly translated): “To play son, you don’t have to be strident or make a lot of noise. If you mark the beat with rhythm and harmony, you will end up playing the son happily and with the true Cuban touch!”
The Septeto Habanero, which started off in 1920 as a Sexteto, becoming a Septeto (with the addition of a trumpeter) in 1927, has survived, more or less unscathed, through various up’s and down’s over the last 80 years, like many other Cuban institutions. In its present incarnation it is actually an octet, with a line up reasonably faithful to its original format, comprising guitar and lead singer, 3 other singers, doubling as percussionists, tres, trumpet, double bass and bongos.
Judging from the liner photos, the musicians are not exactly spring chickens, but what they may lack in exuberant youthful energy, they more than make up in enthusiasm, skill and experience. The result is quite delightful – an irresistible swing, with strong vocals, solid chorus, driving musical accompaniment and percussion.
Most tracks are home-made compositions by band members, obviously well-practiced in highlighting the group’s strengths. What is even more remarkable is that this release comes hot on the heels of the previous CD, another gem – Orgullo de los Soneros, also produced by Lusafrica, and only recently released in Canada by BMG Quebec.
Although the technical parameters – which I find particularly appealing – remain unchanged throughout most tracks, there is enough variation in the tempos to make this CD a pleasure to listen to non-stop – and to dance to, I imagine – at virtually any time of the day or night. As for the lyrics, nothing too heavy – a lot of humor, some mischief, plenty of flirtation – the happenings and events of daily life, which have remained the forte of this group over the last 8 decades.
To end with more words from the first track: “80 years of Habanero, pride of the soneros…If you want to be convinced that I am telling the truth, check out Habanero, and you will be convinced“!
[This review was originally written in 2000]
Author: William Bain
William Bain wrote these reviews while he was host of ‘Chimes of Freedom’ on CFFF/ Trent Radio (Peterborough, Ontario, Canada)