Cuba Classics, Vol. 2: Dancing with the Enemy

One of the first of Luaka Bop’s many fine South American and Caribbean collections, Dancing with the Enemy features a fertile mix of modern, son-derived cuts made in Cuba during the ’60s and ’70s. The collection ranges from the classic acoustic folk sound of Maria Teresa Vera’s “Es No Es Na” and the vintage rhumba stylings of Chapottin y Sus Estrellas’ “La Guarapachanga,” to the rock-inspired boogaloo and pop of Orquesta Revés’ “Fifí, Teté y Popó.” Also featuring choice mambo, descarga, and tipica sides, this 16-track disc will no doubt please students of modern Cuban music with credits that include Latin music innovators like Los Van Van, Celeste Mendoza, and Orquesta Riverside. Along with other important Luaka Bop compilations in the Brazil Classics series, Cuba Classics 2: Dancing with the Enemy is an essential record for fans of international music. – Stephen Cook