The Buena Vista Social Club Artists

Eliades Ochoa & Cuarteto Patria, with Compay Segundo, Chanchaneando (EGREM, 1989)

An exceptional collaboration between two key figures of the Cuban scene recorded in Santiago de Cuba.

Sierra Maestra, Dundunbanza (World Circuit, 1994)

As member and co-founder of this traditional Cuban ensemble, Juan de Marcos Gonzalez begins his association with the World Circuit, the London-Based record label. This album sowed the seeds for the subsequent  collaborations with the legends of the golden age of Cuban music.

Eliades Ochoa & Cuarteto Patria,The Lion is Loose (Discos Corasón, 1995)

Before the Buena Vista Social Club, Eliades Ochoa recorded much of his classic Cuban repertoire for an independent Mexican label and was distributed in the U.S. by Rounder Records.

Compay Segundo, Son del Monte (EGREM, 1996)

Exceptional compilation of Compay Segundo's finest work from the 1950s to the 80s. COMPAY SEGUNDO, Yo Vengo Aquí (DRO East West, 1996) Acclaimed comeback recording produced by Spain's renowned Santiago Auserón, the album put Compay Segundo back on the music map, after decades of obscurity.

Compay Segundo, Antologia de Compay Segundo (DRO East West, 1996)

This double CD set features the most popular songs of his career and includes extensive liner notes, lyrics, biography, and glossary of music terms.

Buena Vista Social Club (World Circuit-Nonesuch,1996)

Recorded in only six  days at Havana's EGREM studios, this recording includes Ry Cooder on guitar, Compay Segundo on vocals and guitar, Ruben Gonzalez on piano, Eliades Ochoa on guitar and vocals, and Ibrahim Ferrer on vocals. The songs include a variety of Cuban musical styles, ranging from the  provincial "son" style of "Candela" to the urban bolero classic, "Dos Gardenias."

Rubén González,  Introducing Rubén González (World Circuit-Nonesuch, 1996)

The solo debut album by a pianist who helped define the  modern Cuban sound. Gonzalez was invited out of retirement to take part in the sessions of the Afro Cuban All Stars, Buena Vista Social Club, and finally for his own debut solo recording.

Omara Portuondo, Palabras (Nubenegra, 1996)

Omara's solo recording featuring a variety of styles and genres, including bolero and son.

Afro-Cuban All Stars, A Toda Cuba Le Gusta (World Circuit-Nonesuch, 1997)

Omara Portuondo & Chucho Valdés,  Desafios (Nubenegra, 1997)

A fine collaboration featuring Cuban standards with the inimitable talents of Omara Portuondo on vocals and Chucho Valdés on piano.

Estrellas de Areito, Los Heroes (World Circuit-Nonesuch, 1998)

Legendary extended jam sessions featuring some of Cuba's greatest living musicians, including three alumni of Arsenio Rodriguez's big band: Ruben Gonzalez, Miguelito Cuni and Felix Chappotin. Other guests include Carlos Embale, Pio Leyva, Arturo Sandoval, Paquito D'Rivera, Enrique Jorrín, Richard Egues, Tata Guines, Nino Rivera, Teresa García Caturla, Rafael Lay & Manuel 'El Guajiro' Mirabal. Recorded in Havana, Cuba by arranger and producer Juan Pablo Torres along with Raoul Diomande in 1979 as a direct response to the New York "salsa" craze of the late 70s.

Sierra Maestra,  Tibiri Tabara (World Circuit-Nonesuch, 1998)

Ibrahim Ferrer with Los Bocucos, Tierra Caliente (EGREM, 1998)

One of the last recordings by Ibrahim Ferrer before he "retired" from singing in the 1970s. Due to the overwhelming success of the Buena Vista Social Club, vintage recordings like this one are once again available.

Compay Segundo,  Lo Mejor de la Vida (DRO East West-Nonesuch, 1998)

A recording celebrating the 90th birthday of one of Cuba's most beloved living legends and his U.S. debut release.

Cuarteto Patria & Manu Dibango, CubAfrica (Melodie, 1998)

A fine collaboration between Eliades Ochoa's Cuarteto Patria and saxophonist Manu Dibango of Cameroon.

Rubén González , with El Noneto Cubano de Jazz de Pucho Escalante, Sentimiento (EGREM, 1999)

A rare jazz recording produced in 1964 featuring Ruben Gonzalez on piano, and recently reissued by the Cuba's official state label. 

Ibrahim Ferrer, Buena Vista Social Club Presents IBRAHIM FERRER (World Circuit-Nonesuch, 1999)

The debut recording by one of Cuba's greatest, and until recently, forgotten crooners. Featuring guest appearances by Rubén González, Los Zafiros' guitarist Manuel Galbán, Teresa García Caturla and an exceptional duet with Omara Portuondo.

Compay Segundo,  Calle Salud (DRO East West-Nonesuch, 1999)

An album which recreates the Cuban music styles of the 1930s and features Segundo on the clarinet, the first instrument he took up as a teenager.

Barbarito Torres, Havana Café (Havana Caliente, 1999)

The U.S. recording debut by the premier laúd (lute) player of Cuba. In addition to his contributions on The Buena Vista Social Club. Barbarito has appeared as an invited guest on recordings by the Afro-Cuban All Stars, Compay Segundo and Ibrahim Ferrer. This album features guests appearances by Ibrahim Ferrer, Pio Leyva and Omara Portuondo on vocals, Manuel "El guajiro" Mirabal on trumpet, Frank Emilio Flynn on piano and Richard Egues on flute.

Eliades Ochoa & Cuarteto Patria,  Sublime Ilusión (Higher Octave-World, 1999)

The U.S. recording debut by one of the key figures of the Buena Vista Social Club. Includes guest appearances by Ry Cooder, blues artist Charlie Musselwhite and David Hidalgo of Los Lobos.

Conjuring the soundscape of 1960s Havana, Los Zafiros combined their vocal virtuosity of doo-wop, bossa nova and the ethereal twang of Manuel Galbán's electric guitar with Cuban rhythms, creating a sound of their own.