Timbapedia
- Discographies
- Adalberto Álvarez
- Orquesta Aliamén
- Bamboleo
- Charanga Forever
- Charanga Habanera
- José Fajardo
- Irakere
- Los Van Van
- Maravilla de Florida
- Opus 13
- Orig. de Manzanillo
- Orquesta 440
- Paulito FG y su Élite
- Orquesta Revé
- Ritmo Oriental
- Rumbavana
- Unión Sanluisera
- Típica Juventud
- EGREMS LPs
- EGREM 45s & EPs
- Write EGREM!
Indice - Table of contents
History and Discography of Irakere 
- 1974 - Areíto 3420
- 1976 - Areíto 3660 & 3926
- 1978 - 3 Live Albums
- 1979 - Studio Sessions
- 1980 - El coco
- 1981 - Live in Caracas
- 1981 - Para bailar el son
- 1982 - Areíto 4018
- 1982 - Live in Puerto Rico
- 1983 - Calzada de cerro
- 1983 - Orquesta Sinfónica Nacional
- 1985 - Bailando así
- 1985 - Tierra en trance
- 1985 - Quince minutos
- 1987 - Live at Ronnie Scott's
- Into the Timba Era
- 1997 - Babalú ayé
- Summary
- CD Buyer's Guide
New Stuff[hide]
Grupos: Changüí del Guaso
Reportes: Report From... : Nuestros Pr...
Reportes: Report From Chicago
Reportes: Report From... : Today's Opi...
Giras: Van Van, Los
Giras: Oviedo, Calixto
Reportes: Report From... : CD Review -...
Reportes: Report From... : CD Review: ...
Reportes: Report From... : CD Review: ...
Giras: Mayimbe, Barbaro Fines y su Orq...
Events: Havana D' Primera U.S.A. Tour 2...
Giras: Maykel Blanco y Salsa Mayor
Giras: Adalberto Álvarez
Giras: Azúcar Negra
Photos of the Day [hide]
History and Discography of Irakere - 1997 - Babalú ayé
Nominated for a Grammy, Babalú Ayé, featured the multi-talented José Miguel, a phenomenal timbalero who sings lead with Paulito-like ease and accuracy. While not as innovative as the Oscar Valdés, Miguel perfected the dual role of lead singer/percussion virtuoso. Miguel, now the leader of the on again-off again timba band La Balanza, added a timba composition of his own as well as doing new versions of Irakere classics like Por romper el coco which benefited greatly from his professional singing voice. The closing title track features a guest performance from santería master Lázaro Ros.
Ironically, the musicial area where the greatest timba fireworks might be expected -- Chucho's piano tumbaos -- changed very little in response to the extraordinary reinvention of the style by the new crop of timba pianists. We're left to wonder what amazing timba piano tumbaos this formidable virtuoso might have created if he'd been so inclined.
Rather than go mano a mano with Melón, Noroña, Tirso and Rolando, Chucho, while maintaining his leadership of the band, stopped touring with Irakere altogether in the late 90s, performing instead with a jazz quartet.
