Ibrahim Ferrer, Chepin & His Oriental Orchestra - Mi Oriente

1999 Compilation from Critically-acclaimed and Latin Grammy Award Winner Ibrahim Ferrer. The Cuban Singer Has Been Featured on Ry Cooder's Buena Vista Social Club and Collaborated with Chepin and his Oriental Orchestra for this Collection. Album Details

Showcases Ferrer's Versatility

Well, I don't know about the seeming rush to give five stars to every early recording made by musicians who subsequently were part of the Buena Vista Social Club project. I notice that many reviewers of Cuban recordings (like the previous two who are probably the same person) revel in sneering at the BVSC, but it was the BVSC that brought Cuban music to the attention of the larger record buying public and precipitated a revival of interest in its many forms.
As we all know, Ibrahim Ferrer participated in the BVSC project. I enjoyed that quite well even though I had heard plenty of "authentic" Cuban music at home when growing up as my father was and is an aficionado.
If I like something I hear, the hunt is on to discover other recordings done by the principal musicians on the recording in question. Such is the case with the BVSC and Ibrahim Ferrer. Only the question of where to begin remained. I chose Mi Oriente by chance and ordered here on amazon before any "partners" had it on offer. It took so long to receive it, I was afraid it had become unavailable but to my delight, it finally arrived after a six month wait.
Now that I've heard Mi Oriente, I'm not waxing rhapsodic but I do enjoy it. You get a solid hour plus worth of music in a variety of styles that showcases Ferrer's versatility. But as far as anything new or extraordinary goes, there's nothing but just some good basic Cuban music in an orchestral format. My favorite tunes are those in the danzon style, but I also enjoy most of the others to some degree.
If you like Cuban music, Mi Oriente is highly recommended. Just don't expect to be overwhelmed by virtuosity or any originality. May 30, 2008

Awesome!

As the previous reviewer said, this is the honey-voiced Ferrer in his prime. There is a great assortment of son montuno, danzon and guaracha on this disc. It will bring you back to the early 1960s and make you wish that you were on the dance floor. I much prefer the authentic, "live" sound quality of this disc to the overprocessed and Hawaiian guitar-marred Buena Vista discs. March 23, 2003

The Real Thing

Have you listened to Ibrahim Ferrer on Buena Vista and wondered what he was like in his prime - and without the "Hawaiian guitar" effects of Ry Cooter? Here it is, coming at you from 1960 with great sound. This CD is hot. The whole tone of the recordings is youthful and exhuberant. Not to be missed if you are a fan. December 11, 2001

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