Track Listing

1. Chanchullo
2. De Una Manera Espantosa
3. La Lluvia
4. Central Constancia
5. Quizas Quizas
6. Choco's Guajira
7. Si Te Contara
8. El Bodeguero
9. Isora Club
10. Rico Vaselon
11. Pa' Gozar

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #29675 in Music
• Released on: 2000-09-25
• Number of discs: 1

Amazon.co.uk Review
One by one, all the great Cuban musicians who thought their day was done are emerging from "retirement", and with this second stunning CD Ruben Gonzalez shows that, at 82, he's only just begun. He may be almost crippled with arthritis, but once his hands touch the keyboard he becomes transformed. His sheer technique is impressive even by classical standards, but what he does with it is dazzling--chromatic octave runs which are exhilaratingly off-key, chord-fusillades happening all over the piano at once. His key weapon is surprise--he knows exactly when to lurk in the shade, and when to burst forth. And he builds up his tapestries of sound like a sorcerer with a willing group of apprentices. Take the sixth track here, which is a slow "son guajira": the trumpet flies high over soft percussion and a muted choral refrain, then in comes Ibrahim Ferrer's wild vocal in his characteristic slow vibrato, followed by Senegalese singer Cheikh Lo, while Gonzalez weaves his spell all round them--sometimes the sinewy foundation, sometimes the brightest star. He can be jokey or tender as the occasion demands in this collection of danzons, cha-chas, and boleros, but he radiates a pervasive authority. Listen to this record once, and you're hooked for good. --Michael Church

Customer Reviews

Gonzalez Perfection
In Chanchullo we see the return of Ruben Gonzalez back to Buena Vista form. With his fantastically articulate and innovative piano improvisation, Ruben is at his very best! This album has definite appeal to Buena Vista Social club aficionados, tracks such as Choco's Guajira reminiscent of Candela and Chan Chan. The immersive Latin rhythm section brings out the magic of Gonzalez and I guarantee it will make you move! It is also impossible to find a better example of sheer brilliance, when it comes to Latin/jazz piano. I would recommend this CD to absolutely everyone!

Too Good
I'm totally swept away by Ruben G. and indeed the whole Buena Vista thing, which I missed when I might have had a chance to see them tour. Gonzalez is the one who touched me the most and this album is even meatier than Introducing... if possible. Terrible to hear about his arthritis - but also incredible because his playing is so forceful, full of delicacy, wit, and pure improvisatory genuis. He is up there with the great jazz pianists. Can't stop listening to him...

Even when you feel down and out...
I knew beforehand that this is a very good recording. Nevertheless, I was surprised by the superb quality of both the recording, the mixing and the performance itself. This music really brightens up your day!