Rhythms Del Mundo (featuring Coldplay, Arctic Monkeys, Kaiser Chiefs...)

See Larger Image	List Price: £8.99 Our Price: £4.98 Availability: Usually dispatched within 24 hours Manufacturer: U.M.T.V. Average Customer Rating:
Binding: Audio CD EAN: 0602517095953 Label: U.M.T.V. Manufacturer: U.M.T.V. Number Of Discs: 1 Publisher: U.M.T.V. Release Date: 2007-03-26 Running Time: 62 Studio: U.M.T.V.
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Editorial Reviews: Created as a benefit project for Artists' Project Earth, an organization devoted to protecting the environment, reversing climate change, and tendering disaster relief, this compilation pairs Western pop stars (U2, Sting, Artic Monkeys, et al) and their hits with all-new arrangements performed by members of Cuba's Buena Vista Social Club plus other Havana-based talent. The overall effect is of a well-meaning but not entirely simpatico mutual admiration society. Coldplay's "Clocks" is a good example; the lead vocal is coolly lethargic, engulfing the spiky crags of the rhythm section like syrup on a waffle. But then, most of the singers sound strangely unconnected to the frisky 1-2-3/1-2 of the clavé beat. The contrast between the two groups of players could have been bracing, and to many ears it perhaps will be, but most of the time, they seem to transmitting from parallel universes. Not surprisingly, the best tracks are those in which hometown icons are left to do what they do best. But the late, great Ibrahim Ferrer's marvelous interpretation of "As Time Goes By" (his final recording) and Omara Portuondo's wistful yet powerful cover of "Killing Me Softly" only serve to further showcase what's amiss with the rest of the album. --Christina Roden
Spotlight customer reviews: Customer Rating: Summary: great blend Comment: this is just a fantastic blend of different genres of music. the music is pure joy. if you really want to enjoy this, get a dance partner and head out to the local salsa dance club with this CD. simply brilliant stuff. recommended. Customer Rating: Summary: Improves on repeated listening Comment: after hearing the colplay clocks & as a big fan of cuban style music I couldnt wait to receive this album. Firstly I was really really disappointed.....on first listening most of the songs sounded clumsy & badly matched with the cuban backbeats.Its like they took the original track & just put some cuban stuff over the top & didnt really "blend" it. However after quite a few listenings (I was very determinded!!) I got used to it & grew to like some of them, although the U2 one just sounds wrong wrong wrong! I think the ones that work best are the totally cuban ones - the covers of well known songs done in a total cuban style Dont get me wrong its not a total bad buy there are some good tracks on there & it makes good background music, but for me to totally like it I had to listen to it many times Customer Rating: Summary: Excellent crossover Comment: I would just echo what's been said here already - great album and everyone who hears it wants to know where I got it. I picked it up in Peru earlier this year where I heard several tracks playing in shops and on the radio, and tracked it down. It's a great introduction for newcomers to Salsa / S.American beats, some tracks work really well at a party - plus a contribution to climate change. Put together by credible artists it stands up to repeat listening. Customer Rating: Summary: Geat Latin versions of popular tracks Comment: I love this CD! I'm already a Latin music fan and have about hundred Latin CD's which includes Cuban music and Buena Vista Social Club. While this album might not be as great as the original Ry Cooder production, it's certainly great to listen and dance to. I think that the conversion of popular English music tracks into Cuban rhythms was done very sympathetically and simply works in almost all cases. I like the surprise element with "Clocks" when it starts like the original and then suddenly turns into Salsa. I also respect Sting for singing in Spanish. I believe that this album will make Latin music more accessible for people that don't normally listen to it. I know that I will play a few tracks of this album at my wedding, as my H2B and I can salsa to it and our guests will still enjoy the music as they are familiar with it, whereas they might be a bit alienated if we play pure Salsa for a long period of time. The only track that I don't like is the "Killing me Softly" track, but then I'm personally sick of the English version anyway and others might like it. "Dancing Shoes" takes some getting used to, but I can imagine it works at a party and is simply good fun. The fact that some of the proceeds go to a course is also a good incentive to buy this CD. I hope there will be more like this soon... Customer Rating: Summary: Money well spent- in more than one way! Comment: I haven't bought a CD in absolutely years, but the moment I saw this on sale I knew that I was going to buy it- more than 1 in fact! I think that the fact that this album was produced with the aim of promoting awareness into climate change issues is admirable and worth the cost of a CD. I realise that others may think that you could have given the money straight to the charity, but realistically, there are fewer people that are going to do that, than buy a good CD. With regards to the music, I have yet to find any one of my friends that haven't asked me where to get this CD because they love the tracks. I am just waiting for the next one to come out now! You won't be disappointed- with either the music or the sense of satisfaction of having spent money for a good cause! More Reviews