Issac Delgado - En Primera Plana

comercial vs intelectual

Isaac Delgado has found a great balance between "commercial vs intellectual" afro-Cuban tradition. Modern Cuban salsa (Timba) has been considered for the average ear, over-elaborated and hard to understand... However, Delgado's music includes such complexity and sophistication without lacking melody and/or flavor. With no doubt, this album is one of my favorites. Just to name few names that appear in it : Israel "Cachao", Giovani Hidalgo, Gonzalo Rubalcaba, Osmani Paredes. October 16, 2008

Issac Delgado -En Primera Plana

Issac Delgado's album En Primera Plana is a musical triumph highlighting not only his genius, but also the divergent development of music under differing political regimes.

In capitalist societies the economic constraints imposed on musicians mitigates against the widespread development of large ensembles such has occurred in Cuba. Contrary to what many anti-communists would think,the musical results of the emergence of these bands under communist rule has been nothing short of magnificent.

The music is a heady mix of percussion, brass and keyboards with call and response vocals driving the music forward irresistibly. It is at once joyful, soulful and infectiously happy.

For those as yet unfamiliar with Cuban music this album is an ideal first choice. It comes highly recommended and bears repeated playing. Issac Delgado and his band's music is simply great, as of course he is. January 20, 2008

Buena musica, buena produccion. Un exito

Lo que los otros reviewers escribieron esta correcto. La produccion fue excelente, la seleccion de canciones muy buena, colaboraciones con legendas como Cachao. Isaac Delgado tiro un home run con este album.

Todas estas calidades no hace que piense que su musica es un poco suave para mis gustos(lee mis otros reviews), y por eso no le doy cinco. Es raro ver un nivel de produccion tan alta como en este album, especialmente en los cantantes de salsa romantica. La mayoria de las canciones son romanticas lo cual me hace pensar que le esta tirando al mercado de Victor Manuelle(con el que canta en duo), Gilberto Santarosa, y Tito Nieves. Immediatamente que lo escuche supe que seria nominado al Grammy, y no me sorprenderia si lo ganara.

Una nota. Se ha hablado mucho politicamente del album, por la movida de Isaac a USA. Este album hubiese sido excelente no importa si hubiese sido aprobado por los Castros o los tios en Miami de Elian Gonzales. Por eso si te gusta, te recomiendo que busques los viejos de Issac producidos en Cuba. January 14, 2008

A Mega Star Arrives

At the risk of listener hubris, I can say for certain that this new addition, from just a few listenings, is a monster contribution to the many great works from a legacy of exiled Cuban musicians that have enjoyed a new found freedom outside Cuba. Anyone following Issac Delgado's musical trajectory ought to be aware that he is a major and veteran voice from Cuba and a singer who will undoubtedly provide a powerful lift to Latin music worldwide. None of his many self-penned compositions is formulaic or lyrically unsophisticated. His musical collaborations are not schemes for a badly needed lift to a sagging solo career. Alone or among other musicians like Adalberto Alvarez, Cheo Feliciano, NG La Banda, Galaxia, Los Papines, Elena Burke, Tata Güines, Maraca, Pacho Alonso, Victor Manuelle, and Gonzalo Rubalcaba, has not only led to many covered hits while still living in Cuba, but has afforded new listeners a chance to enjoy this artist alongside others. The group Galaxia for instance is made up of many young talented musicians such as Ramon Huerta, Diego Valdez, Angel Bonne, and Jose Miguel Crego.

Issac has an unwavering appreciation for both the literary and hard driving rhythmic demands of listeners and dancers alike. And while today's popular sounds are often weary and dull to some ears as when our musical memories or musical tracings perfectly match, Issac takes a different path by weaving and casting a tapestry of Cuban old and modern sounds fresh from the solares and social clubs of his native Cuba. Just when you expected a certain rhythmic pattern or musical direction would lead to a recurring estribillo and mambo, his music quickly shifts in a new direction with arrangements and accompaniments not heard before. He is a master of timba and you can't hear this musical idiom without tracing many of its elements to his vocal style or compositions. Issac Delgado has toured internationally and played with many great musicians. His compositions reflect an astuteness and innate ability to cull sounds and styles from many Cuban musical idioms and rhythms, and direct them into his own new offerings. With Issac Delgado you not only enjoy a sonero's velvety voice, impeccable vocal timing and musical sensibilities, but also an original artist with a selfless ability to listen and to move artistically ahead by design. June 27, 2007

en primera plana

soy cubano-americano fan de la buena salsa, "no cualquiera ", he seguido la trayectoria de Issac delgado y sin dudas este es el resultado de su pasion y amor por la musica cubana , con Alain perez y gonzalito rubalcada en los arreglos y la produccion del afamado sergio george este cd sin dudas es un masterpice 5 stars de colleccion para los amantes de la buena salsa por su buen contenido de ritmos cubanos como el son-cha, timba , changui y el inconfundible estilo salsero del chevere de la salsa, gracias Issac por continuar lo que nuestra Celia Cruz hizo , tu continuaras su legado, gracias Issac y bievenido a USA...SALSA FANS DON'T MISS THIS MASTERPICE OF CUBAN MUSIC June 7, 2007

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