Who among us isn't drawn to the infectious rhythms and melodic inventiveness of Cuban music? Listening to the gentle, sweet voices and the unhurried rhythms of their traditional lullabies, rich in heritage and imbued with love, will leave adults smiling and children sleeping.
The lullabies on this album reflect Cuba's unique blend of African and Spanish cultures. Some are songs of Spanish descent, which have been handed down from generation to generation, and are known in various forms throughout the Spanish speaking world.
The other lullabies are distinctly Cuban. The lyrics are in an Africanized form of Spanish. These songs have become Cuban classics and are sung to babies as often as the older, more traditional lullabies.
This recording has a broad range of Cuban musical styles, from the intimate renditions of traditional lullabies to elegant jazz and classical inspirations to Afro-Cuban cabaret stylings. We have no doubt that once they have been rocked to sleep, Cuban babies are dancing in their dreams...
Omara Portuondo of the Buena Vista Social Club, Grammy award winning artist Chucho Valdes, Bola De Nieve, Merceditas Valdes, Clave Y Guaguanco, and other Cuban greats.
All lyrics are included in both the original language and the English translation:
1. Drume Negrita Bola de Nieve
2. Lacho Merceditas Valdes
3. Berceuse a Jessie Chucho Valdes
4. Senora Santana Coro Corolillo
5. Arrurru Pablo Menendez
6. Drume Negrita Rey Guerra
7. Drume Negrita Omara Portuondo
8. Drume Mobila Bola de Nieve
9. El Amor De Caracol Y Lombriz Mayuley Alvarez, Hilda del Castillo, Nelson Martinez
10. Suenos De Colores Coralia Arregolitia
11. Juegeton Merceditas Valdes
12. Nana Animalera Marisela Verena
13. Berceuse Campesina Andres Alen
14. Lancho Bola de Nieve
15. Oguere Clave y Guaguanco
16. La Calabacita Coralia Arregoitia