In review--The Sones of Cuba
Tito Gonzalez Y Su Son De Cuba Al Doblar La Esquina (To Turn the Corner) Independent Release Ever since I watched the documentary Buena Vista Social Club at the Seattle International Film Festival in 1999, I have been in love with the Cuban son (genre of acoustic rustic music). The melodic call and response vocals and passionate horns accompanied by poly rhythms played on congas, bongos, maracas, très and guitars and guided by the clave beat possesses an infectious quality. The lyrical content ranges from romantic, to socio-political and sexual commentaries, to put it mildly. Sunny, but never laid back, Cuban son and its descendent salsa get people of different backgrounds up on their feet dancing. I would imagine that even someone in a coma would respond somehow to it. Cuban très (a guitar with doubled three strings) player and fisherman (and cab driver among other occupations), Tito Gonzalez leads his twelve-person band through a set of original songs that sound like they